About 

The People’s Pantry was established in Victoria Yards in 2020 in response to the food insecurity caused by the Covid-19 lockdown. It is a community-driven initiative in Makers Valley aimed at addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable residents. The project operates seven community kitchens and a swap shop, collectively feeding around 500 people a week.

In addition to providing meals, The People’s Pantry offers food education workshops on pickling, fermentation, canning, and drying produce to strengthen food security and create opportunities for income generation. The pantry relies on donations from individuals and businesses to keep its shelves stocked. Community members are encouraged to contribute surplus food or financial support, and volunteers play a vital role in managing the pantry to ensure it remains accessible to those in need.

Issues and Ideas

In Makers Valley, many residents face unemployment and income insecurity, which leads to high levels of hunger. In urban areas, growing your own food can be particularly difficult. The People’s Pantry aims to create a community where its services are no longer necessary by engaging young people in nutrition, food security, and advocacy. Through art, education, and cooking classes, the organisation is working to foster self-confidence and encourage community members to advocate for themselves.

Despite its efforts, The People’s Pantry faces numerous challenges. Their soup kitchens lack essential equipment, such as fridges, and they need more digital support to enhance communication and outreach. Additionally, they struggle with insufficient packaging for delivering food to the elderly, and load shedding in Johannesburg further hampers their efficiency. Despite these obstacles, volunteers work tirelessly to keep the soup kitchens and swap shops running. What ideas can you propose to support the efforts of organisations like The People’s Pantry in Makers Valley?

Find out more from the People’s Pantry in their video interview, available here.