PRESS RELEASE: Rekindle Launches Pantry to Tackle Cost of Living Crisis
Rekindle School, a charity founded by Ruth Ibegbuna and proudly youth-led, is tackling food insecurity head on with the launch of the Rekindle Pantry in Hulme, Manchester. The Pantry, supported by Tesco Stronger Starts and Manchester City Council alongside a private donation, is set to provide vital support to the local community impacted by the rising cost of living, offering free food and essential household items four days a week.
Despite being one of the largest economies in the UK after London, Manchester has a staggering 44.7% of children and young people growing up in poverty (1). The Rekindle Pantry will be a lifeline for young people and their families, ensuring access to nutritious food and household essentials in the heart of Hulme. Beyond meeting basic needs, the Pantry aims to restore hope and build a stronger, more connected community.
Cara Kennedy, Community and Corporate Partnerships Lead at Rekindle, said:
“The Rekindle Pantry will be a lifeline for many in our community, providing access to essential food items and household goods at a time when they’re needed most. It will also be a place where people can find support, connection and a sense of renewed hope, reminded that they are not alone.”
At Rekindle, our foundational SNAP (Support, Nourish, Achieve, Protect) framework underpins our mission to ensure that young people have the opportunities and the support that they need in order to thrive. We recognise that hunger is a significant obstacle to young people’s learning and ability to reach their full potential and are hopeful that the new Rekindle Pantry will play a vital role in overcoming this barrier.
Ruth Ibegbuna, the founder and CEO of Rekindle said:
“Rekindle is a space of joy, creativity, education and nurture, at the heart of the community. We are proud to offer additional support to families who may be really feeling the financial pressure. It’s not easy out there and if our Pantry can help families to feed and care for themselves, we are doing our job.”
The initiative is powered by Tesco’s Stronger Starts and supported by a friend of the charity and Manchester City Council, demonstrating a powerful collaboration to fight child poverty. Tesco’s Stronger Starts (previously Tesco Bags of Help and Tesco Community Grants), in partnership with Groundwork UK, has already provided over £115 million to more than 65,000 projects across Britain, helping to tackle child poverty and food insecurity across the country.
Claire de Silva, Tesco UK Head of Communities and Local Media, said:
“Helping schools and children’s groups access the food and resources they need is vitally important in getting children a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration, and ultimately achieve more too.”
The Rekindle Pantry will be open four days a week at St Mary’s Courtyard, Hulme, Manchester M15 5WB between 11am and 3pm, Tuesday to Friday. Local residents, families and individuals navigating the challenges of the ongoing cost of living crisis are encouraged to drop in between these hours to collect free food items and essential goods.We are excited to open the doors of the Rekindle Pantry and look forward to the positive impact it will have in the community. To ensure its continued success, we’re also looking for dedicated volunteers who can lend a helping hand. If you are interested in getting involved, please visit our website to learn more!
For press enquiries, please contact: Cara Kennedy – Community and Corporate Partnerships Lead at Rekindle
