The Teviot Valley has seen small businesses closing and pressure on family budgets but help from the local food pantry team is just a phone call away. 

Teviot Valley Food Pantry coordinator Liz Murray said the service was well supported by Fresh Choice, local orchards, the Roxburgh Baptist Church and financial donations.

“We want people to feel okay about ringing, we know it’s tough to pick the phone up and say ‘‘I’m in need’’,” she said.

In the past six months the food pantry has had contact with and assisted 50 people in Teviot Valley.

Liz said she was grateful for her friends and the three other volunteers, Rosanne Keeler, Tanya Mackey and Jessica Anrades, who helped to manage the food pantry. 

“The four of us network with the Salvation Army [who run the Alexandra Food Bank] and Diane Barbara passes on what she can if she has extra of something.”

Liz said things were going very well at the Teviot Valley Food Pantry and as expected they were not as busy as the Alexandra and Cromwell Food Banks.

Its location outside the Roxburgh Baptist Church on Scotland St and a vibrant mural painted by Millers Flat artist Sally Jory was increasing the visibility of the support available.

“We’ve had a food bank for many years but it wasn’t well known. In the times we are living in, when things are tough financially it’s a good opportunity to get something more visible.”

The inside is fitted out with shelving and fridges, unlike Cromwell and Alexandra there are no set drop off or open hours, people wanting to support the service or in need of food supplies call the phone number on the container and then the team opens it as required.

A Christmas food drive is approaching and Liz said they would love widespread community support to increase seasonal supplies.

People need to put non-perishables, toiletries, tea and instant coffee or small christmas treats such as lollies by their letterbox on Friday, December 6 by 5pm. They will be collected by volunteers between 5pm to 6pm. 

For more information or to get help call Teviot Valley Food Pantry on 021 1262 455.

Read more: Increasing demand for Central’s foodbanks

Read more: Toy Swap coming up in Alexandra

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]