Shirebrook food bank opens new community shop thanks to £33,000 grant

The Brook Centre has been at the heart of the community providing help and support to residents for many years but has faced a ‘challenging’ 12 months due to an increase in demand for food during the pandemic.

Now £33,000 worth of grants from Bolsover District Council’s Business Grant Scheme (£10,000) and Bolsover Partnership’s Public Health Locality Funding (£22,000) has allowed the transition from a food bank to a community shop.

The shop will operate a scheme where, for a £5 minimum membership, folk can obtain a large bag of food of their choice on site each week for a minimum donation of £5.

Coun Steve Fritchley, council leader, said: “This is a great community project and one that we are delighted to have been able to support with both grants and advice.

“The past 12 months have been very challenging for some and the Brook Centre has been at the heart of that challenge in Shirebrook.

"Amanda (Pell) and the team do a great job in helping those in need and this shop is a way for local families to invest in their community and reap the benefits of a sustainable way to access food and support beyond the pandemic.”

For those who struggle to afford the donation or membership, a full wrap-around support service is provided with an on-site provision from the Citizens Advice Bureau to help people access to benefits, housing and wellbeing services.