FAMILIES in Port Glasgow have been thrown a lifeline to help with the spiralling cost of living crisis.

A new pantry run by the Community Development Trust has opened its doors at the 7 ½ John Wood Street centre, taking in food supplies from the Fareshare initiative and ensuring nothing goes to waste.

It is hoped that the new facility will build on the success of the Zero Waste Community Pantry in Greenock's Grieve Road.

Members will pay £2.50 every week to access a selection of food and toiletries.

Co-ordinator Kay Wilson said: "It's going well so far and we have had a constant stream of people.

"We get our Fareshare deliveries on a Friday and we don't know what is coming in but we have sections where people can take a specific number of items.

"Volunteers walk around with customers and let them know how many items they can take from each section."

The pantry opens from 10am-3pm on Mondays and on Fridays from 1-6.30pm.

Angela Spence, interim chief executive of the Trust, says a lot of work has gone into making it a success.

She said: "Staff have been busy over the last few months working with our partners, engaging and listening to community groups and individuals in Port Glasgow, while looking at various potential locations for our new pantry in Port Glasgow.

"The preferred location within our existing facility at 7 ½ John Wood Street is a venue which already provides a wide range of community activities.

"We will offer Port Pantry members access to all our other services and support such as employability, our ‘brew buddies’ chat and a cuppa, as well as signposting to counselling, money advice and housing help."

The Zero Waste Pantry in Grieve Road has proved very popular and 200 of its 850 members were from Port Glasgow.

Angela said: "That shows there is a need for a Port Glasgow Pantry which will supplement the existing provision within Inverclyde."

The Trust is working in partnership with Inverclyde Council, Rainbow Family Centre, the Salvation Army, churches, Port Glasgow Health Centre and a number of other organisations on the project.

Ms Spence added: "We have received help and support in renovating the space at the bottom of the John Wood Street building from staff and apprentices from River Clyde Homes, transforming the area into a fully functioning pantry shop.

"Amazon in Gourock have also been kind enough to help us with their expertise in racking and shelving."

The Pantry model is supported by Fareshare who take good quality, nutritious surplus food from right across the industry and get it to more than 10,500 frontline charities and community groups across the UK.

The Trust have been successful in winning funding from the National Lottery to run their latest project and if anyone is interested in volunteering they should email kay.wilson@the-trust.org.uk