THE Mayor of Winchester was given an insight into the work of a community organisation helping people in the city.

Cllr Patrick Cunningham was given a tour around the Community Food Pantry, set up in Unit 12, Winnall, which opened in January.

During the visit last month manager Elaine Chapman and volunteers showcased the many aspects of its work from offering food to other essential supplies.

Elaine said: “We are not just about food but helping people on a much wider level. We opened at the end of January and it has been consistent, it is normally 40 to 50 people that use it a week.

“We are building up relationships with quite a few of our regular families. It is a bit like old fashioned shopping were you get to know the shopkeeper and when people are feeling vulnerable you can get that human connection, they are not going to have to scrabble around in their purses because they have overspent – there is no hidden extras.”

Cllr Cunningham was also told about the pantry’s cooperation with the Winchester Basics Bank to provide sanitary towels.

Elaine said that the Mayor was “really supportive” of the work that the food pantry carries out.