Residents of Woodlands Drive in Cleadon collected a range of tinned food, cleaning products, and household items to donate to Lucie’s Pantry, the social supermarket run by Emmaus North East.

A social supermarket is different to a foodbank. People struggling to make ends meet because of debt, illness or low income join the Pantry as members. They pay £2.50 a week to receive £15 worth of food and household items. Emmaus North East is continuing to run the service throughout the coronavirus outbreak to support those that rely on it.
 
Claire has been a member of Lucie’s Pantry to nine months. She said, “The social supermarket helps us massively when we have no money. It’s great value. The fact that Emmaus North East is still doing it during Covid-19 is great because its helping people.”
 
Sarah Campbell is one of the Woodlands Drive residents that contributed to the donation. She said, “We’re really pleased that as a street we’ve been able to organize this collection for Emmaus North East. We’re trying to pick a good cause a week to support by dropping off donations on each other’s doorsteps and Lucie’s Pantry was a great choice to support as the work they do is helping so many people. I think we all feel a bit helpless with the virus and by coming together as a street we feel like we’re still part of a community and doing our own little bit to help.”
 
Emmaus North East is accepting donations of tins, pasta, long-life items, and household cleaning items for Lucie’s Pantry. For businesses or individuals able to donate items, call 0191 497 5302 or email [email protected] to arrange a contact-free collection or drop off.
 
To donate to the Emmaus North East fundraising appeal, visit www.emmaus.org.uk/north-east/covid19-appeal.