A community food pantry has appealed for donations of mobile phones after seeing clients struggle to afford to replace their devices.

The S12 Community Pantry, which is based at Scowerdons Community Centre in Wickfield Grove, posted the idea to start a ‘phone bank’ on its Facebook page. Three regular visitors had damaged phones and the pantry wanted to provide replacements with the help of the community.

Jayne Mason, 50, who founded the registered charity in 2023 with Caron Britton, 46, said: “They have medical needs and they are unable to make their appointments. They need a working phone.”

The pantry provides food every Tuesday and it hosts Citizens Advice twice a month. A community cafe also gives a warm space and hot food at the venue.

Ms Mason said: “We get hugs, we get thank you cards. You can just see the appreciation.”

In 2023/24, approximately 3.12 million people in the UK used a food bank. The pantry supports roughly 150 people per week in the south east Sheffield area.

The pantry is stocked with food waste surplus from supermarkets, as well as donations from individuals, by their dedicated team of volunteers.

Ms Mason said: “If we weren’t here, the government would have to pick up the slack. If they gave us grants to cover our massive overheads, we would be able to help more people with the funds we have.”

Last year the food pantry said it had to turn people away after its stocks hit a record low.