Families are set to receive a breakfast boost thanks to Inverclyde’s Zero Waste Pantries in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

During Challenge Poverty Week (October 2-8), the pantries in Grieve Road, Greenock, and John Wood Street in Port Glasgow, were given free cereal and milk which they’ll hand out to members on special opening sessions this Thursday, October 12.

The value of the free cereal and milk is estimated to be £1,000 and it is hoped will give families a welcome boost ahead of the upcoming October school holiday.

The pantries are run by Inverclyde Community Development Trust (The Trust), supported by Inverclyde Council.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council and its welfare and financial inclusion champion, said: “Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for us to look at what we are doing to help people who may be struggling in our communities.

“The council is proud to support both the Greenock and Port Glasgow pantries and the many households they support.

“We have a number of initiatives in place to support families across Inverclyde. We are the first local authority in Scotland to offer free school meals to P6 and P7 pupils and we also offer an enhanced school clothing grant.

“If you or someone you know is struggling with the cost of living crisis, please do seek help. Inverclyde Council works with many partner organisations which offer valuable information and support.”

The Trust opened Greenock Food Pantry in December 2020, the first in Scotland to open outside of Glasgow, and has 1,100 members.

Port Glasgow Pantry opened in July last year and is also going from strength to strength with 738 members.

Membership is £1 a year and then it’s £2.50 for a weekly shop, covering around £15-worth of goods.

Based on the £2.50 weekly shop, both pantries have generated community savings to date of approximately £848,228.

The Trust’s pantry coordinator Andy McCann said: “The Pantry works hard to try and keep as much money as possible in our members pockets by providing a wide range of good quality food at a greatly reduced cost.

“The Pantry is particularly vital at the moment because everyone is really struggling with energy costs and the cost of living, right now. In addition to helping with food insecurity, the pantry is also able to signpost its Pantry members to The Trust’s Employability Service, alongside offering other financial advice and budgeting support.”

Greenock Pantry is open every Monday from 10am – 3pm and Saturday from 8.30am- 3pm.

Port Glasgow Pantry is open on Mondays from 10am-3pm and Fridays from 1pm- 6.30pm.

During Challenge Poverty Week, Inverclyde Council also held an event at the Beacon Arts Centre to support people with money worries.

Services gave advice on support with money, debts, benefits and housing advice alongside partners, including Your Voice Community Care Forum, Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit and the local MP and MSP.

Other key priorities for Inverclyde Council in tackling poverty include:

• Inverclyde becoming a Scottish Government Early Adopter Community for Affordable Childcare in 2022 which will assess what works to support families most likely to be living in poverty with affordable out of school childcare
• Inverclyde Council/HSCP and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde continuing to promote a cash-first approach to support families living in poverty
• Inverclyde HSCP enabling staff working with families who are facing financial hardship and insecurity to provide cash support
• An early intervention service from Home Start to support parents with babies and children under 5 years, who had mental wellbeing challenges, low level anxiety and low mood
• The Thrive Under Five project pilot in Port Glasgow to support children under the age of five to achieve a healthy weight by tackling the issue of food insecurity
• From August 2023, Inverclyde became the first local authority in Scotland to provide free school meals to all primary school children
• The council provides transport grants to secondary pupils living between one and two miles from their school if they already qualify for a clothing grant/free school meal, despite the criteria being set at two miles and over

A self-assessment questionnaire on what financial support is available is available using this link. https://www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/inverclyde