Pantry supported Activities

Monthly Socials

 A friendly, relaxed space for all Pantry visitors

• Tea, coffee and cake (1st / 2nd / 4th / 5th Wednesday)
• Hot meal (3rd Wednesday)
• Pantry Coffee and Chat for adult Pantry users only (3rd Friday of the month)

 School Holiday Gatherings

Thursdays during school holidays (10:30–12:00 in Church)

• Crafts and activities
• Live music
• Free refreshments
• Open to all ages

Pantry News

July 2026

There was a real sense of blessing at the Pantry on 1^st July as we held our second Café Church. The feedback was wonderful, with many saying how much they enjoy Rev Natalie’s warm leadership. Thank you to the fantastic team supporting her. Please keep them all in your prayers as they journey together in faith.

Our team also gave a friendly welcome, practical help and encouragement to everyone who came along to use our Pantry. Hazel from Citizens Advice was on hand too. Please note that this excellent advisory service is available to everyone in our community.

It was wonderful to have one of our younger church members start their Duke of Edinburgh award programme with us, we look forward to helping them achieve their goals.

As we prepare for our next Pantry, we are short of milk, tinned potatoes, tinned pulses, custard and toilet rolls please. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

The Pantry Team

Our Mission

St Peter & St Paul Pantry exists to support people in genuine need by offering free top-up food support and a caring, inclusive community.

Guided by our Christian ethos, we aim to reflect God’s generosity through compassion, respect and kindness for all.

Who's the Pantry For?

To protect the purpose of the Pantry and ensure fairness, it is important that visitors understand:

The Pantry is:

• For people who are genuinely in need
• For those unable to afford enough food at this time
• A free service

Anyone in genuine financial hardship is welcome -  no referral required.

Where and When is the Pantry?

St Peter & St Paul's Church Hall 77 The Street, Rustington BN16 3NL

• 1st Wednesday  —  16:00 – 18:00
• 2nd Wednesday  —  08:30 – 10:00
• 3rd Wednesday  —  16:00 – 18:00
• 4th Wednesday  —  10:00 – 12:00
• 5th Wednesday  —  08:30 – 10:30

Every session includes the opportunity for free refreshments, conversation and access to support services for those who require it. We also run 3 Pop-up Pantries at local schools.  

What to Expect?

• A friendly welcome from trained volunteers
• Free choice of up to 10 items per household
• Space to sit, relax and chat
• Confidential support and signposting to welfare services

Our Principles

1. Free support for people in genuine need
2. Dignity and respect - visitors choose their own items
3. No judgement or assumptions
4. No referral needed
5. Community connection - kindness and conversation alongside the Pantry.

Pantry Guidelines

To ensure fairness and sustainability: 

• Please only take food if you are genuinely in need
• Choose up to 10 items per household
• Clothing: up to 3 items per household, or as specified on the day
• Some items may be limited

The Pantry began during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when many households were struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Volunteers initially delivered food to families supported by Family Support Work, ensuring help reached those who were isolating or unable to go out.

When restrictions lifted, we invited people to collect food from the Church Hall, where they could choose their own items in a dignified, friendly space. From these beginnings, the Pantry has grown into a trusted community resource.

In recognition of its service to the community, St Peter and St Paul Pantry received the Rustington Parish Council Parishioners’ Award 2023, a tribute to the dedication of our volunteers and the support of the wider community.

While our opening hours have remained the same, the support offered alongside the food has expanded to include:

• Welfare and financial guidance
• Visiting specialist services (Citizens Advice, Southern Water, Age UK and others)
• School pop-up Pantries
• A repair service
• Clothing provision
• Community activities

Our Volunteers

None of this would be possible without an ongoing team of volunteers.  As we have grown we now have a team of 40 volunteers help with:

• Welcoming visitors
• Collecting food donations
• Organising food and donations
• Running the refreshments area
• Supporting school pop-up Pantries
• Signposting to support services
• Administrative and logistical support

Their ongoing generosity and kindness make the Pantry possible.

The Pantry continues to grow in generosity and compassion, supported by our volunteers, donors and the local community.  For more information on what keeps us stocked, please visit our page here.

Supporters

The Pantry is sustained by the remarkable generosity of local churches (including our own), businesses, and community partners who donate regularly. Their kindness ensures we can continue providing free food to people in genuine need, week after week. We are deeply grateful for every contribution, it truly makes a difference.

Regular Donors

• COOK Shop, Rustington 
• Cuff Miller, Littlehampton
• Establo Lounge, Rustington 
• Hygiene Bank, Chichester 
• L. Guess Jewellers, Rustington
• Serenity Hair, Rustington
• Morrisons, Littlehampton
• Specsavers, Rustington
• St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Rustington 
• St Margaret’s Church, Angmering
• St Peter and St Paul Church congregation
• The Quill Pub, Rustington
• Willow and Eve, Rustington

Each of these supporters play a valued part in helping local families access the food and essentials they need with dignity and compassion.

Donations

We welcome donations of food and toiletries to support local people in need. We do not take clothing donations from the public. Our needs list remains consistent all year round - even one item a week makes a real difference.

What We Need 

Financial Donations are always welcome. Financial gifts can be made by contacting us (Select Pantry option)

You can leave food donations at the following locations:

Financial & Welfare Support

Southern Water Affordability Support

A Southern Water representative visits the Pantry to help people check whether they are eligible for a reduction in their water bill and can assist with applications.

Citizens Advice (1st & 3rd Wednesdays).

Support with:

• Benefits
• Housing
• Debt
• Employment concerns
• General welfare advice

Other Practical Support

• Help finding low income broadband and mobile tariffs
• Signposting to best value insurance information (non-advice)

Energy, Safety & Wellbeing

• Energy efficiency guidance
• Fire service home safety checks
• Alcoholics Anonymous support
• Break Even gambling support
• Social prescribing (links to wellbeing activities & groups)

Support for Older People

Age UK Community Agent – Samantha Yanez

Help with:

• Staying connected
• Accessing local groups and clubs
• Information about local services
• Support following hospital discharge
• Finding trusted local help

Free Money Coaching Course

A practical and supportive course covering budgeting, saving and financial confidence.

How to Access Support

Simply speak to a volunteer — all support requests are confidential.

Prayer Board

We also have a "Prayer Board".  Located in the Church Hall, the Prayer Board is a confidential space where anyone can:

• Leave prayer requests
• Share encouragement
• Ask questions about faith
  If someone leaves a question or request for follow-up, a member of the clergy will respond privately.

These Pantries:

• Are for parents / carers of children and for staff attending that school
• Operate termtime only
• Follow the same ethos and rules as the Church Pantry
• for people in genuine need
• up to 10 item guideline
• dignity, choice and respect

When and where?

• Rustington Community Primary - Tuesday mornings (8:30am - 9:00am)
• Georgian Gardens Primary School - Thursday mornings (8:30am - 9:30am)
• Summerlea Primary School - Thursday afternoons (2:15pm - 2:45pm)

This helps families access support privately and conveniently within their school community.

For the past two years, Georgian Gardens Pop-Up Pantry has received a grant from Rustington Parish Council to help purchase food, ensuring that every family who attends has the staple items needed to make both a breakfast and a main meal.

This ongoing support helps us offer consistency, dignity and reliable choices to families who are facing financial pressure.

Using One Pantry

To make sure support is shared fairly, families are asked to use one Pantry only.
If you use one of the school popup Pantries, please do not attend the Church Pantry.

This helps us ensure that food reaches as many households in genuine need as possible, and it keeps things simple and supportive for everyone.