Easter Appeal to support Foodbanks and Pantries

Salisbury's two local news and media organisations have joined forces for the 2024 Big Easter Appeal, which aims to support the food banks and community pantries that help look after people who are struggling financially.

In the run-up to Easter, the Big Easter Appeal aims to help boost donations to these organisations, raise awareness of their need, and break some myths and stigmas surrounding the use of their services.

The Big Easter Appeal is partnering with Salisbury Foodbank, which helps facilitate multiple foodbanks across the area, including Amesbury, Downton, and Durrington, as well as in Salisbury. It will also support Salisbury Pantry and Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Pantry.

The organisations are struggling to meet increasing demands with record numbers of people using their services and donations falling; things are reaching a critical point.

Salisbury Pantry currently supports 100 households weekly and regularly distributes around 10,000 items monthly.

A Pantry works differently from a foodbank - they charge a small membership fee, allowing shoppers to buy food that would normally have a much higher value in a normal supermarket. There is also no need for referral.

They also stock fresh fruit & vegetables, fridge and freezer items, and other tinned and store cupboard items.

Salisbury Pantry's manager, Abi Blake, said, "We're very much about dignity and choice, so you come in and shop as though you are shopping in a supermarket.

"We go through 2,000 items weekly; we are desperate for donations to help meet the demand. Demand is increasing for memberships, and we need to meet that demand with donations if we can."

Salisbury Radio's Managing Director, David Harber, said,"When we heard of the challenges that these organisations are facing at the moment, we wanted to help.

"We wanted to help coordinate a mass collection of food items to help alleviate some of the pressure that food banks and pantries in Salisbury, South Wiltshire and West Hampshire are currently facing."

The appeal will have a mass collection event at Tesco Extra on Southampton Road in Salisbury on Saturday, 16th March. Salisbury Radio will broadcast live from the supermarket as we encourage as many people to make donations as possible. All donations will then be distributed between our partner organisations to help support their work.

On the same day, there will also be a collection at Salisbury FC's Ray Mac stadium before their match with Merthyr Town as supporters are encouraged to 'Bring a Tin to the Match' on Saturday, March 16th.

There will be further chances and locations for people to donate, which we will announce during the course of the campaign.

The Big Easter Appeal aims to involve the whole community, from schools to workplaces and even sports teams. If you or your organisation would like to get involved, please fill in this form:

You can still donate to all the organisations as usual, so if you can, please do.