Burgess Hill and District Pantry celebrated its relocation to Market Place shopping centre this month, marking a significant step in supporting local families and tackling food poverty across Mid Sussex.

Working alongside traditional food banks, the Pantry operates on a membership model that provides hope, dignity and choice. For a small weekly fee members can select groceries including fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, and store cupboard staples. This approach stretches household budgets and offers as normal a shopping experience as possible to those in our community struggling to feed themselves and their families.

Since its opening in May 2021 the Pantry has supported over 800 households with a massive 18,823 shopping baskets of food leaving the Pantry. Now with a record 275 members and a growing waiting list, the Pantry supports many across MId Sussex including residents of Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Haywards Heath and Cuckfield . “We are seeing a surge in applications with the onset of Winter and are working hard to offer support to those in our community and fight food poverty,” said the Pantry Manager Claire Fuller.

Support from the community is vital to keep the doors of the Pantry open and food on the shelves. Donations of food or funds are always welcomed from individuals, community organisations and businesses. The Pantry Reverse Advent Campaign (pictured) offers an opportunity for families, colleagues, friends or businesses to support by collecting the items from the calendar and taking them to the Pantry this festive season.

For more information visit the Burgess Hill Pantry on Facebook or email hello@bhlocalpantry.org.