Toby Perkins, Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, visited Gussie’s Kitchen, a community pantry based at St Augustine’s Church that is helping feed local residents who are on low incomes.

Toby met with local councillor Jenny Flood, who is the volunteer co-ordinator and administrator for the group, and representatives from Rural Action Derbyshire, who have provided funding and advice to help the pantry develop and grow. The pantry provides people on benefits with a bag full of shopping for £5.00 to supplement their weekly shop and help them through the current cost-of-living crisis.

Toby said, “I can’t commend the enough the work that the local councillors and volunteers do at Gussie’s Kitchen. I have visited several times now and the scale of the operation, and the dedication shown, is truly remarkable. And unlike a foodbank, the people coming here get to pick their own good and are also paying for them, though at a much reduced price. This is till something people have to budget for and I think it is a model that we should replicate across the country.”

Toby added, “the current cost-of-living crisis means that these projects are more important than ever before. But as well as ensuring people are being fed, the group also provides advice and support on a range of issues to help ensure local people are receiving the support they need.”