Description

A community project aiming to address food poverty within North West Edinburgh has received a generous donation of food from Maxi Construction.

The Pennywell Pantry was set up in 2020 by North Edinburgh Arts to offer local residents a place to relax, explore, learn, meet, share, volunteer and have fun in.

Now operating just up the road through Community Renewal’s centre on Pennywell Road, the Pantry supports low income families and individuals in the Muirhouse and West Pilton areas with access to food and essentials.

The Pantry operates on a weekly subscription model of £4.50 per family, which in turn allows them to access between £15-£30 worth of food and household essentials.

Cara Babineau, who works for Community Renewal to support families within the area said: “At a time when the costs of living are rising beyond belief, those accessing the Pennywell Pantry are already experiencing or at risk of food poverty within the household. We’re always in need of the donation of foods and essentials such as toiletries, cleaning products and other everyday consumable household items. Being able to provide essentials such as the cereals and other items that Maxi Construction have donated today is invaluable. We are very grateful. Our team registered the request on ESES Communities a few weeks ago, so it was a nice surprise someone responded so quickly!”

Founded in 1971 Maxi Construction has delivered new build, extension, fit-out and refurbishment projects in all market sectors throughout central and southern Scotland. They are involved in a number of projects within Edinburgh & South East Scotland, including contracts for the City of Edinburgh Council where they have completed numerous projects within the city’s communities including works at Wardie, Davidson Mains and Duddingston Primary Schools, and they are currently on site at Boroughmuir High School and Gracemount Civic Square.

Lisa Aitken, Business Support Coordinator at Maxi said: “Our team at Maxi are keen to ensure that wherever we work, we leave a positive footprint within local communities. Visiting Community Renewal today has really brought into focus the challenges that communities are facing. By donating this food, we’re proud to play some part in helping to address disadvantage and support the essential work of the Pennywell Pantry.”

Community Renewal transforms communities by empowering and engaging individuals in community activity to improve their health, learning and employability. As well as their site at Pennywell, they also have two other offices supporting the communities of Bingham, Magdalene and Hays areas of South East Edinburgh and at Govanhill in Glasgow.