A community food pantry has undergone an exciting refurbishment following a grant from the National Lottery and the Issa brothers’ EG Group.

Hyndburn Food Pantry in Accrington is an affordable food club that was set up to make shopping a positive experience for those needing a bit of help.

The refurbishment project, which received a £38,500 contribution from the National Lottery Fund, saw all the old shelving and boarding removed and stripped back to the walls; the installation of new boarding, racking and front counter; and a new kitchen.

A £4,000 donation was also received from the Issa brothers’ EG Foundation for the kitchen installation, and local company The Senator Group donated café furniture.

The pantry’s membership system has also become fully digital.

Alongside their food offering, Hyndburn Food Pantry also has a free community café offering a warm space, refreshments, and a place to meet others and have a chat. The café is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Eddy O’Brien, chair of Hyndburn Food Pantry, said: “It is fantastic to officially open the newly refurbished Hyndburn Food Pantry.

“Having opened its doors in October 2021, the Food Pantry was in need of a fresh new look and we are really happy and excited with the results.

“The whole idea of the Food Pantry is to make shopping a positive experience for people that need a bit of help and this refurbishment allows us to do that even more.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the refurbishment, including The EG Foundation and The Senator Group.”