Happy New Year to the Coldbath and Orchard Community Food Pantry Members
Every Wednesday morning from 9.00 to 11.00 you will see a long queue of people outside a red bus at the top of Morden Street, close by the Quaggy Children’s Centre. These are members of the Coldbath and Orchard Community Pantry, which has been running since December 2023.  We now provide a year-round, weekly service operating 50 weeks of the year.

‘With the current cost of living, it makes it difficult for all of us to afford food for our families. The Pantry eases the burden’.

In 2022 initial discussions began with a wide range of partners such as RBG Public Health, a local councillor, Good Neighbour’s Project and the Blackheath and Greenwich Women’s Institute. Having Registered Charity status already, Quaggy Development Trust became the lead partner in this group who all set up the pantry for local people who may need help with the cost of living.

Supported by our volunteers who include members of the Blackheath & Greenwich Women’s Institute and Good Neighbours local community group, and local community volunteers, we are able to provide local people with fifteen items for £3.50. These items include fresh vegetables, fresh bread donated by Paul Rhodes, a local artisan bakery; high quality tinned and packaged food donated and delivered to us by the Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency and toiletries donated by Beauty Bank.

‘I wouldn’t be able to get quality products like the amazing bread and handwash that I would never be able to buy.’

Much of our food is bought from local supermarkets and paid for through the funds that we have raised over the last three years. The Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Public Health supported with a grant initially. This support has been sustained through vital advice and networks.  RBG is our primary funder and therefore our membership is now focussed on those who pay their council tax to Greenwich.  We are now celebrating a year since we set up the membership scheme for an annual contribution of £1 per member and we now have 97 members including elders, families and people living with disabilities.

Back in 2023 the pantry was based at Quaggy’s Parkside Nursery and then moved into Quaggy’s community bus at the top of Morden Street. With support from donors and a local developer we will soon be able to transform the bus into an off road, customised space where our members can continue to find support from our wonderful volunteers and staff.  

‘I come to you because it provides me with a sense of community’.

If you are a Royal Borough of Greenwich Resident and would like to join the pantry as a member pop into the Pantry on Wednesday morning between 9.00 and 11.00 am. We would need to see some evidence of where you live.

If you are interested in volunteering to help us on delivery days and Pantry days (Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings) please contact deb@quaggychildrenscentre.org.uk or call 020 8465 9785.