Spotlight on Food Banks & Pantries
At Chesterfield Foodbank, the belief is clear: nobody in the community should have to face hunger alone.
Operating six sessions across five foodbank centres in Chesterfield, alongside a delivery service supporting rural communities in the Hope Valley, the foodbank provides emergency food and practical support to local people facing financial hardship and crisis.
Last year alone, 9,595 people were supported, around 23% of whom were children. Behind every food parcel is an individual, family or household facing difficult circumstances—from rising living costs and debt to ill health, relationship breakdown, benefit delays and unexpected life events.
While emergency food remains an important part of the service, Chesterfield Foodbank offers far more than food. Its Support Hub model creates warm, welcoming and non-judgemental spaces within foodbank sessions, where people can access early intervention, advice and wider support alongside food provision.
Working in partnership with Citizens Advice and more than 20 guest agencies, visitors can receive support with debt, housing, benefits, mental health, wellbeing, addiction, carers’ support and employment guidance. By bringing services together under one roof, the aim is to address the underlying causes of hardship and reduce the need for repeated crisis support.
This approach is already making a difference. Since introducing the Support Hub pilot, there has been a reduction in the number of people needing long-term, repeated foodbank support. Through the in-house Citizens Advice partnership alone, hundreds of local people have been supported to increase their income, resolve debt issues and improve financial stability.
None of this work would be possible without the dedication of around 128 volunteers, who support Chesterfield Foodbank across its warehouse, foodbank centres, delivery service and a range of support roles. From packing parcels and collecting surplus food, to offering a warm welcome, a listening ear and signposting to further help, volunteers are at the heart of everything the organisation does. They ensure every person is treated with kindness, respect and dignity.
Community support also remains vital. Local schools, churches, businesses, supermarkets, community groups, and individuals regularly donate food, funds, time, and expertise, helping ensure support remains available for those who need it most.
As financial pressures continue to affect many households, demand for support remains high. However, the generosity, compassion, and community spirit shown across Chesterfield and Derbyshire continue to inspire.
Together, this collective effort is helping ensure that people facing hardship are met not only with emergency food but with hope, kindness, and practical support for the future.
Contact and further information:
To find out more about Chesterfield Foodbank, access support, volunteer, donate or get involved, visit:
chesterfield.foodbank.org.uk
Barrow Hill Pantry is a welcoming, community-run food hub operated by the Valley Hill Community Trust, with trustee Simon Redding, pantry coordinator Deborah Thorpe, and a dedicated team of volunteers.
Open for over a year, the pantry has recently moved from its original shipping container into a new purpose-built space inside the Barrow Hill community hub. The building also houses a café, youth facilities, health services, and family support—making it a central place for local activity and support.
The pantry runs as an affordable shop rather than a food bank. There’s no referral process, no means testing, and no membership barrier—anyone living locally can join. For £6 per visit, members can choose a range of items, including unlimited fruit and veg, helping families access fresh, healthy food easily.
It’s designed to be flexible too: the pantry setup can be packed away behind a partition wall to allow the space to double as a community hall for events and activities.
The service plays a vital role in the village, where food shopping options are limited. It helps fill the gap with accessible, affordable groceries while maintaining dignity and reducing stigma.
Opening times:
Deliveries: Thursday mornings
Public opening: Thursday 3.00pm to 6.30pm
The team is keen to welcome more local residents and continue growing the pantry into a well-used, community-first resource.
A Hidden Gem at the Heart of the Community
Tucked away within the welcoming walls of Tansley Methodist Chapel, the Tansley People’s Pantry has quietly become one of the village’s most treasured community assets. Though a little hidden, everyone who steps through its doors knows they have discovered something special: a warm, friendly space where kindness is always in stock.
Open three days a week, the pantry offers more than just essential food items. It provides dignity, choice, and a genuine sense of belonging. There are no questions asked, no forms to fill in, and no requirements related to income or benefits. Anyone is welcome—whether they need a little extra support or simply want to reduce food waste and be part of a community‑led initiative. Around 20 shoppers visit each week, each greeted with a smile.
On Fridays, the atmosphere becomes even more vibrant as the community café opens its doors. This well‑loved social space is filled with chatter, warmth, and excellent cake. It’s a place where new friendships form, neighbours reconnect, and everyone is encouraged to slow down for a while.
One of the most heartwarming stories to emerge from the pantry is that of a regular shopper who has since become a valued café volunteer. Over time, this individual has grown in confidence, overcoming both social and physical challenges to become an essential part of the team.
Founded in 1995 in Long Eaton, Canaan Trust began as a small local effort to tackle homelessness and has blossomed into a vibrant, community-driven charity.
Today, they are all about giving practical help and hope to those who need it most, working not just to ease immediate struggles, but also to break the cycles that keep people in hardship.
One of the most visible ways they make a difference is through their food bank, it is open seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM no referrals, no barriers, just support when you need it. Every week, they share 80–100 food parcels, each packed with enough for three days of meals to offer short-term relief.
In addition, when Christmas comes around, they go the extra mile with festive food parcels for over 200 families and individuals, making sure no one feels forgotten during the festive period.
Their work thrives thanks to the incredible generosity of their community, from Harvest Festival donations to surplus food networks and the dedication of volunteers who give their time and energy, some up to 70 hours a week, to make sure that if there is a need, we find a way to meet it. At the heart of everything we do is a holistic approach. Recently, a mum came to them for food and toiletries. They did not stop there, they helped her tackle benefit issues, rent arrears, and debt. With their support, her benefits were sorted, a rent plan agreed, and debts cleared. Today, the family is back on track and rebuilding their lives.
Want to be part of this story? Find out how you can help Canaan Trust here.
Eckington Pantry has been a vital part of the community for over three years, operating from Eckington Business Centre, Market Street, Eckington, S21 4JH. They are open every Wednesday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Membership costs £2.00 to join, and each shop visit is £5.00. Currently, they support 150 members, with around 35 shoppers per week.
The pantry provides more than just affordable groceries—it has created a community hub where friendships form, and support is always available. Volunteers and shoppers alike have built strong connections, turning a simple shopping trip into a chance to chat, share experiences, and receive guidance. The pantry also signposts users to essential services, including Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre (DUWC) for benefit support and Citizens Advice for additional assistance.
Community support has been incredible! Recently, a café owner referred a gentleman in need, who now shops regularly. Volunteers not only help carry his groceries home but have also connected him with DUWC and a local over-60s club, improving his quality of life.
Looking ahead, Eckington Pantry is working on new initiatives, including “Boredom Busters”—free activity days with lunch for children during school holidays—and weekly breakfast bags for families in the summer.
Follow them for updates: Facebook.com/eckingtoncommunitypantry
In the heart of Chesterfield, within St. Augustine’s Church on Derby Road, you’ll find Gussies Pantry. Every Wednesday, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM (with a short break between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM for restocking), this volunteer-led initiative opens its doors to support those in the community facing food insecurity.Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, Gussies Pantry is more than just a food resource—it’s a place where people find support, understanding, and a sense of belonging. With over 180 members and more than 80 shoppers visiting each week, the pantry plays a crucial role in ensuring that no one in the community goes without essential food supplies.
The support extends beyond groceries. Gussies Pantry connects individuals with vital services, including the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), tenancy support, P3, and more. Whether someone needs guidance with housing, benefits, or personal challenges, the pantry serves as a bridge to essential resources that help people regain stability.
As a registered charity, Gussies Pantry thrives on the generosity of volunteers and donors, proving that when a community comes together, incredible things happen. Every person who walks through its doors is treated with dignity and respect.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the pantry’s services, or if you’d like to get involved and help make a difference, stop by on a Wednesday or reach out to learn more. Gussies Pantry is also working to source culturally appropriate foods—if you can help, please consider donating.
To learn more about Gussies Pantry, visit:[https://www.gussieskitchenpantryshop.com/](https://www.gussieskitchenpantryshop.com/
A Testament to Gussies Pantry’s Impact
A woman arrived at Gussies Pantry with a referral slip from Chesterfield Food Bank. She had recently moved to the country to be with her husband and children, but tragedy struck shortly after her arrival.
After listening to her story, we provided support by referring her to the Derbyshire Law Centre for guidance on her rights and the necessary steps she needed to take. We also supplied her with food and contacted DCC Admissions to assist with her son’s education.
