Well known local chef Alex Greene was delighted to be asked to take on the role of patron of The Pantry Foodbank and is looking forward to championing its amazing work
CELEBRITY chef and restaurateur Alex Greene has said he is “honoured” to have been asked to become The Pantry Foodbank’s patron.
The Dundrum man, who will officially open the local charity’s forthcoming fundraiser in Newcastle on the 10th of August, has endorsed the work of the charity and praised its team of “dedicated and passionate” volunteers for their efforts since the food bank opened a decade ago.
Alex, who knows the importance of nourishing, wholesome meals, and how just a few simple ingredients, when combined, can help fuel the body, said he felt “humbled” to be approached to become the food bank’s patron.
He said he knows how these initiatives provide an essential lifeline to people from time to time.
The local man said when he received a visit “out of the blue one day” to be invited to become the food bank’s patron, he felt compelled to do so.
“The work done by food banks is so important,” said Alex, who agreed to the role without hesitation.
“When you hear of the work volunteers, such as those from The Pantry, do, it really is an eye-opener. It makes you appreciate things even more and is a timely reminder that no one ever knows what future circumstances they could find themselves in,” he said.
With thousands of parcels, providing several days’ worth of meals, distributed by The Pantry in the past 10 years, Alex praised its volunteers and supporters for their efforts.
Recalling how his immediate reaction to the request was “of course,” Alex said: “It’s always important and very special in this instance to be a part of something like this, and to be asked to take on this role and to be considered to be part of it is an honour.”
He added: “When your time is few and far between, it’s always nice to be able to give a little back to people”.
Keen to be able to help promote and champion The Pantry, Alex’s support has been wholeheartedly welcomed by the food bank’s team of volunteers, including its new chairman, John O’Neill, who is delighted the local chef has endorsed the role it plays in the community.
He said that Alex lending his support is a further boost for the charity.
Looking back on the food bank’s efforts in the 10 years since it first launched, in the summer of 2014, John said none of the work, either then, or now, would have been achievable if it were not for the support of the wider community and various generous donations.
The Pantry provides essential support for families and individuals alike, and this was even more evident during the pandemic.
Comparative figures, taken each March from 2020 through to this year, show it provided parcels to 313, 700, 732, 687 and 382 households respectively and in those single months alone.
There was a steep rise between March 2020 (313) and March 2021 (700), and the higher demand continued until there were the initial signs of a fall-off last year, which has continued into 2024, with the team of volunteers explaining that as the sense of urgency around the pandemic began to lessen, the numbers in need began to fall.
The Pantry, which in 2021 became a company of limited guarantee but maintains its charitable status, receives no ongoing funding from any source.
However, statutory bodies have supported it from time to time with one-off grants, most notably during the pandemic.
For the most part The Pantry relies on community support – which comes in the form of both food and financial donations.
Outlining why The Pantry thought about having a patron, John explained that as its 10th anniversary approached, the committee thought it would be a good idea “to try and get someone with a high profile in the area to be our patron”.
Around the same time, it emerged that Alex – a Michelin starred chef, ‘Great British Menu’ finalist and host in the recent BBC programme ‘B&B By the Sea’ – was returning to his roots to take over the Buck’s Head Inn.
“We all agreed that he should be approached to see if he would be interested and thankfully, he agreed,” John explained.
Turning his attention to the work of the local food bank, the Newcastle man continued: “We are all aware of the increased cost of living, since the Covid pandemic, on all our lives and for many in our community it is a daily struggle just to survive.
“The Pantry Fo0odbank is a lifeline for these individuals and families. Thanks to the goodwill and generosity of individuals, sporting organisations, clubs and businesses in our community, we can assist those that are referred to us for help with food parcels and basic toiletries.”
All this, continued John, “would not be possible without the dedicated commitment of the team of volunteers who order supplies, stack shelves, pack food parcels and deliver to those who cannot collect on a weekly basis.”
As he takes on the role as the charity’s chairman, John explained that when he retired from J and W McCall in Clough four years ago, after a 40-year career, he took the decision to step down from all other commitments and took some time to settle into this new phase of his life, “and decide what I could do to find fulfilling”.
And that’s when he read an article in the Mourne Observer, in which The Pantry called for more volunteers to help them carry out their work.
“I decided that since it was only a couple of minutes from my door, I should be able to lend a hand as required,” outlined John.
“I very soon realised the need there was in the area for this service; from Newcastle to Clough, Drumaroad and Kilcoo and everywhere in between.
“At the end of the day many people are only one payday away from needing help if something unforeseen was to happen.
“I have seen how the service we provide has helped families get back on their feet and many now return the favour when we meet them at street collections or shop door collections by putting money in the box or an item of food in the basket and saying how grateful they are for the help when they needed it.”
As he settled into his new role as chairman of the food bank’s organising committee, John also took the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of his predecessor, Manus O’Boyle.
John thanked Manus “for his untiring commitment to the success of The Pantry Foodbank and to those individuals who saw the need and came together from across the community 10 years ago”.
And so The Pantry Foodbank was born and thanks to the collaboration with the Methodist Church the charity has a base from which to provide its services and support right in the centre of Newcastle.
The food bank opens on Tuesdays, at the rear of Donard Methodist Church, between 2pm and 4pm.
The entrance is signposted in the car park at the rear of the church on Park Avenue, just off Causeway Road.
If you would like to chat with someone from The Pantry, but are unable to visit on Tuesdays, please call 07517 766006.
The volunteers will also be delighted to accept any food or financial donations on Tuesday afternoons.
John concluded by encouraging as many people as possible to support the food bank’s forthcoming fundraiser, which will take place on the afternoon of 10 August, in Newcastle Community Cinema’s premises on Main Street.
The event, which will be opened at 1pm by Alex, will include a wide range of stalls and activities.
Guaranteeing a warm welcome awaits all, he said all money raised will help the food bank to continue with its work in the community, helping people from all walks of life during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
