Martha’s Pantry, aiding 129 families, may close as Falkirk Council plans to shut its building in April.
Euan Stainbank, Falkirk MP, supports the pantry. He asked the council to talk more and wants them to delay the closure. Monica MacDonald leads Martha’s Pantry and worries about the center closing, as it helps 129 households in two areas.
The pantry started in December 2022 and use has grown. Over 60 children are in those families. Monica says families depend on the service. Slamannan has high poverty, thus she questions taking away food without a plan.
Members pay £2 for a food bag and pick items from the pantry. They can also get fruit and vegetables. Eggs, bread, and cleaning items are available. The pantry buys fresh food with funds, and gives families some meat each week.
Linda McGarry is also on the committee. At Christmas, they gave out parcels. Some people cried because they lacked money. The pantry also teaches cooking classes, where a chef shows how to use pantry food.
The pantry respects everyone’s privacy. Volunteers listen and support people, helping them find other resources. It helps with the cost of living and offers respectful aid, which all requires a lot of space.
The center is part of a council review where buildings might be closed or sold. Some areas now run their local halls. The council wants to invest money in the center, potentially becoming a “Partnership Centre.”
This transformation requires a transfer of ownership, but if no one claims it by March 31, it closes. Slamannan Community Hub had meetings but found little support to keep it open. Locals find the center too large to manage.
The community prefers the old nursery across the road; however, it’s smaller. It needs much work to become useful, and the council offered little help with that. The hub members couldn’t form a committee, thus they abandoned the nursery plan.
The pantry team checked a small shop, but it was too small. They now want the deadline pushed back further. Euan Stainbank wrote to the council, seeking solutions and relocation ideas and wants center operation extended.
The Labour MP noted the pantry helps many families and finds the uncertainty unacceptable. The group has limited local options, but they are open to partnership ideas. He wants investment like the library project.
He thinks they should extend the center usage; the council needs to talk more with the community. A council spokesperson knows about Martha’s Pantry’s aid. They want the pantry to join the transfer group.
The council has properties in Slamannan. They could support the pantry relocating. The council will continue to discuss options and will support the service continuing.