A Ramsbottom foodbank has had to cease deliveries due to petrol prices and the cost-of-living crisis.

Rammy Pantry has seen an increase in footfall with food bank users of all walks of life.

When first set up 19 months ago at Ramsbottom Cricket Club, Rammy Panty fed around 20 people a week, it is now feeding an average of 75 people a week.

Lead coordinator, Beverly Macca, 55, says she worries that demand could become too much.

She said: “We have a lot more people coming in. It isn’t just big families with young children but were seeing a lot more working adults and old couples too.

“I worry so much that we won’t be able to sustain the same level of support we are at if more people are aware of us and come down.”  

During Covid, the pantry set up a delivery service, bringing food to homes during the pandemic.

Now, however, this service has had to be halted due to the cost-of-living and petrol crisis.

Beverly said: “A lot of our volunteers are elderly and retired and the cost of living has affected us all.

“We have had to stop doing deliveries because of the petrol increase, the cost of them driving around isn’t fair but we want people to come down in person to see us anyway.”

Although it began as a food bank, it has been changed to a pantry, meaning users contribute £3 and choose their own shopping items.

A free service is still on offer for those who need it as Beverley said she would never turn anyone away.

Despite having enough beans and pasta to “supply every house in Bury”, the foodbank are running low on other essential items.

She said: “Our donation level has dropped. Although we are supported by supermarkets and churches in the area, people use to turn up with donations and we don’t really get that anymore.

“We could provide every house in Bury with pasta and beans but we also need things like toiletries, cleaning products or even pet food because that is so expensive.

“People say that it isn’t essential but a pet is a family member so pet food is essential.

“We fill the gaps with our funds getting fresh food like butter and cheese and some frozen items too.”

Rammy Panty has also set up a school uniform shop, taking clothing donations and handing them out to those in need.

Anyone looking for a certain size/ uniform is encouraged to speak to Beverly who will try and source the necessary items before September. 

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