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Lucie's Pantry

Words by Smiley Team

FOR people struggling to make ends meet due to debt, illness or low income work, a trip to the supermarket where you can simply load up a basket seems impossible.

But Lucie’s Pantry, a social supermarket set up by homelessness charity Emmaus, has changed the face of shopping for its customers and the local community.

The store, in South Shields, is open only to its members, who are allowed to join based on their need and geographical distance from the shop.

They pay £2.50 per week, and in return they can choose goods to the value of £15 from a range of foods and household products.

The aim is to make a sustainable and affordable source of food and household essentials for the most vulnerable members of the local community.

Glenn Miller was formerly homeless and is now supported by Emmaus North East. Glenn who runs Lucie’s Pantry one day a week, said: “The social supermarket helps people in poverty, and it gives me satisfaction that I am helping people in need. Emmaus is all about solidarity and the pantry gives us a great chance to put this into action.”

Most of the food and items in the social supermarket are donated by local businesses and community groups, as well as traditional supermarkets like Asda and Morrison’s.

John Harrison is the executive lead for Emmaus North East who run the supermarket. He said: “Emmaus North East took the decision to open Lucie’s Pantry as we saw there was a genuine need in the community. Austerity and poverty in the North East are growing issues, and no one should have to choose between feeding their family, providing a clean home or paying rent.”

Lucie’s Pantry is named after Lucie Coutaz, one of the founding members of the Emmaus movement which was set up in Paris in 1949. They currently need donations of tinned goods, particularly tinned tuna, tinned pies and any tinned or canned meats, for example sausages or corned beef.

To learn more about Lucie’s Pantry go to emmaus.org.uk/north-east/shop/lucies-pantry/ or follow them on social:

Twitter: @emmausne

Instagram: @emmausne

Facebook: facebook.com/EmmausNE/

by Jenna Sloan

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

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