West Midlands-based employment support specialists Steps To Work is calling on local businesses to donate towards or sponsor its Community Hub, a store which offers residents the opportunity to purchase highly discounted food items and hygiene products.  

Launched in partnership with food membership club Your Local Pantry, the Community Hub, located in the Pleck area of Walsall, aims to ease financial pressures residents may be facing due to the rising cost of living. 

The Hub currently relies on donations from the public and local supermarkets, in addition to grant funding. However, support from corporate organisations is now required to ensure the pantry can sustain its offering, helping Steps To Work give back to those who need it most. 

Businesses in the area can support the Community Hub via Give Today by offering food and hygiene donations or providing financial sponsorship that will help with its day to day running.  

Steps To Work is also using the Community Hub to deliver essential employment support, as well as providing help with accessing benefits, housing and budgeting for personal finances. 

Bhanu Dhir, Chief Executive Officer at Steps To Work, said: ”Since opening in December 2022, the Community Hub has played a vital role in supplying essentials to locals who are struggling with the current cost of weekly food shopping. It has also become a space for residents to come together, socialise and meet new people.  

‘We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us so far in being able to provide this crucial service, however, due to the current spike in demand, we are now asking for further support to help us continue providing vulnerable members of society with affordable food shopping. 

If you are a corporate organisation who wants to give back and make a valuable difference to our community, we urge you to get in touch with us today.”  

Membership to the pantry is free for anyone who lives within a one-mile radius and members are asked to pay just £5 per visit to take 10 items from the shop.