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Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

Services

Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Pantry

Based at the Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Centre on Pheasant Drive in Old Sarum. OPENING HOURS: Tues 8.30 am - 9.30 pm Weds 9 am - 12 noon

Published: 24 September 2025

  • Extended Opening hours - Friday afternoons from Jan 31st 2025
  • Good Grub Club Flyer 2024
  • Founder - Gemma Philips at the Hampton Park Pavilion Funday
  • Community Pantry opens Warm Space winter 2023
  • Volunteers have fun at the Community Pantry - summer 2023
  • Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Centre transformed and ready for Santa - December 2024
  • Santas Grotto - December 2024
  • Last session of the year - Dec 2024
  • Secret Santas present wrapping at Slaisbury Fpptball Club - December 2024
  • First year anniversary - summer 2024
  • Summer activities at the Community Pantry 2023
An award-winning pantry with over 300 households on their membership list. Many are hardworking families—NHS staff, teachers, social workers, and military households—who don’t meet the threshold for other support but are still struggling to make ends meet.
Their ethos is that ‘No one should just “survive.” Everyone deserves the dignity of living without constant fear of bills, and that’s what we’re here for’.

This wonderful ‘award winning’ food waste project run by community volunteers supported by Abri, Laverstock & Ford Parish Council, Wiltshire Council,  Fare Share and the Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Centre has grown into much more than a place to shop affordably. It has become:

● A social lifeline: where pensioners can share a coffee and chat without worrying about the cost of cafés and parking.
● A warm space: for parents who can’t afford heating, especially when kids are at school.
● A safe place: for those struggling with loneliness, mental health, or simply needing a hot meal and a friendly ear.
● A family hub: offering children activities and meals during the holidays when days out feel out of reach.
● A resource centre: providing advice on debt, energy saving, family matters, cooking lessons, and more.

It only costs £2 to become a member, and just by becoming a member you can help support this project.

How Does the Pantry Work?

Different food items are equal to 1, 2, or 3 points

Choose between 10 points = £4.50 or 15 points = £6.00 

Bring your own Bag – they also have FREE FOOD ITEMS

Do I have to use the Pantry each week?

Please feel free to come as regularly as you wish. However it is one shop per week. There is no pressure to use the pantry so if you would prefer to just join the group of shoppers for a cuppa you would be very welcome. We offer FREE light bites on Wednesdays and free meals on a Friday.

I’m nervous about turning up – what should I expect?

As you enter the Old Sarum Community Centre you will be greeted by volunteers on the welcome desk. If you are not a member – one of the team will ask you to complete a membership form. 

You can browse the food choices and select produce to the value of either 10, or 15 points. Once you have your shopping you can then pay the team member on duty. We will try our hardest to make it fair for all that attend so everyone has a fair choice of the food. On your initial visit you will need to pay for the £1 membership fee. This fee will be used to cover administration fees and you will be provided a membership card on your next visit. 

As a registered local warm space and Chatty Cafe you are welcome to come along and sit in our Main Hall,   just sign in and then you can read a paper, try our games selection, and  we’re happy to chat if you’d like.

The Team on duty will support you as best we can. The pantry is connected in to wider parts of the community and can often sign post to other services. Please feel free to talk to someone in the team and we will try our best to support you

How You Can Help???
The Pantry wants to keep growing, supporting more households in need, until one day their services are no longer necessary. But right now, they need your help.
If you can support financially, through donations, partnerships, or even by volunteering your time or skills, they’d be so grateful.
Please get in touch directly or via email:
oslpantry@gmail.com or oldsarumandlonghedgepantry@gmail.com

Volunteer team at Community Pantry win Local Heroes Award


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