A food service in Oldham is becoming a lifeline for a growing number of families as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies.

Sally-Ann’s Pantry, which is run by The Salvation Army at its corps (church) in Oldham Roundthorn, located on Roundthorn Road, was originally set up to prevent food waste but has become a lifeline to stop people falling into food poverty as supermarket prices continue to soar.

Working in partnership with local supermarkets, The Salvation Army receives products that can no longer be sold due to being past a sell-by date, but not a use-by date, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables and bakery goods.

Captain Jonathan Pitts, church leader of The Salvation Army in Oldham Roundthorn spearheaded the scheme when it first opened in early 2020.

He said: “We are seeing a dramatic increase in those needing to access it.

“People are becoming increasingly desperate and hardworking individuals on low incomes just cannot keep up with the rising costs.

"Sally-Ann’s Pantry is a way to get substantial and nutritional food onto tables for a fraction of the high street cost.

“With the rising cost of living and energy there are only so many cuts you can make and, once you reach your limit, anyone and everyone could be in need, and that is what is actually quite scary.”

James from Oldham, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, and his partner first came across Sally-Ann’s Pantry when they lost their stable jobs and found Universal Credit payments did not stretch far enough to cover all their bills.

The 34-year-old said: “It was a tough time for us. Suddenly the rug was pulled from underneath us, and it was a struggle.

“I never imagined that I would need to use a foodbank service, it can just come up on you, even when you’re working, when you least expect it.

"You can have everything, a comfortable life and then suddenly your whole world can turn upside down.”

Sally-Ann’s Pantry operates on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am until 1pm.

People who wish to use the food service are requested to make the suggested donation of one pound which goes back into the food provision and into the church’s foodbank which works on a referral basis for the most vulnerable members of the community.

The Oldham Roundthorn church also runs a weekly drop-in provision; the Lighthouse Project from 10am to 1pm on Fridays which includes a hot meal along with help and advice, and also a food parcel.

Anyone who works for a supermarket and would like to donate fresh produce for the pantry can contact the Oldham Roundthorn church on 0161 624 6550.

To donate to The Salvation Army Oldham Roundthorn visit the charity’s Just Giving page.