ACE announces temporary closure of Your Local Pantry Dusty Forge
– for strategic review and membership consultation
For 5 years, the ‘Your Local Pantry’ (YLP) at Action in Caerau and Ely – Dusty Forge has been a vital community resource, dedicated to providing affordable and accessible food options for people in Ely and Caerau, and with sadness, we are announcing a temporary closure beginning April 26th, 2024. This decision comes in response to recent challenges faced by the organization, including supply chain disruptions leading to decreased availability of a variety of food items.
Due to rising costs of living and decreased surplus food donations [from supermarkets to Fare Share, who are our main supplier], our ‘Your Local Pantry’ has encountered difficulties in maintaining a wide choice of quality food, resulting in some valued members leaving the YLP membership.
Over the last year, we have tried many options to sustain the variety food available in stock for member customers. However, in light of these and other funding and resourcing challenges, we have decided that our best course of action is that the YLP will cease operations temporarily after its last shopping sessions on April 24th and 25th, 2024.
During this closure period, the ‘Your Local Pantry’ team at ACE will embark on an inclusive strategic review to explore alternative methods of sourcing and supplying food to its membership base. Additionally, the organization will conduct a thorough survey among its members to gather insights, preferences, and needs, ensuring that future initiatives are aligned with the community’s requirements. As some members may already be aware, we have already started the membership consultation process.
Action in Caerau and Ely remains committed to serving its YLP members and the wider community with dignity and respect. The organization extends its heartfelt gratitude to its members, volunteers, and supporters for their continued understanding and cooperation during this transitional period.
We plan to keep in contact with the YLP membership with further updates and information, as we move forward.