With the weather turning colder, this one is bound to warm your hearts. When we received the application from Pippins Community Centre for a Small Community Grant last March (2022), it was a true reminder of what our community funding is all about.

Pippins Community Centre approached us with a request for £500 to set up a larder with cupboard ingredients such as dried herbs and flour to be used for free by the local community.

The idea to set up a larder stemmed from the success of their community fridge which was stocked using fresh food waste from supermarkets with the aim that people can go and help themselves to the produce for free.

Fruit and veg boxes at Pippins Community Fridge and Larder.

We have recently contacted the team at Pippins Community Centre to ask about Pippins Pantry a year on. We were delighted to hear that it has been a huge success. The team explained that because the pantry is located in a community building where people could be attending for all sorts of reasons, the pantry feels discreet and this has given people that extra level of privacy and dignity when visiting.

The pantry is open to all every Monday from 9am to 12pm. No referral is needed, simply come along and have a rummage in the community fridge, pantry, clothes rail and children’s toy box. You can even stay for tea, toast and a chat too.

Pippins Community Centre, Axminster.

If you or someone you know would like to know more about the Pippins Pantry or the community fridge, please visit the Pippins Community Centre website here.

Pippins Pantry is a poignant reflection of why our Small Community Grants are so important and how much of an impact they can have on our local East Devon community.