Last updated on February 12th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Everton in the Community (EitC) is one of the UK’s top sporting charities and is firmly established on the world stage of community sports development. As the Blues’ official charity, it is considered one of the Premier League’s leading community schemes due to the quality and reach of its various programmes. Since 1988, Everton in the Community has been at the forefront of social intervention across Merseyside, not afraid to tackle issues which others shied away from.
Supported by 130+ dedicated full-time staff and 160+ volunteers, EitC runs over 60 programmes and initiatives that are crucial to the wellbeing of Merseyside’s most vulnerable communities. One of their hallmark initiatives is the Blue Base Pantry, a community-driven service that provides essential food, hygiene products and wrap-around support to families in need.
With rising food and fuel poverty exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, EitC’s partnership with The Hygiene Bank has become more vital than ever. The collaboration addresses a critical gap for those unable to afford basic hygiene items, allowing them to maintain dignity while managing other financial challenges.
EitC operates year-round, delivering a variety of life-changing programmes that address significant issues such as health, education, youth justice, and poverty. The pantry is managed by one member of staff and 12 dedicated volunteers and supports approximately 130 people weekly, families can purchase a week’s worth of food for just £3.50, with enough goods for households of up to five members. This service has provided life-altering assistance to community members struggling with both food insecurity and hygiene needs.
In addition to offering food, EitC partners with The Hygiene Bank to supply essential hygiene products. These items—often seen as luxuries by families with low incomes—include cleaning supplies, toiletries, and personal care items. Hygiene products are often the first to be sacrificed when families face financial hardship, making The Hygiene Bank’s contribution essential. Without their support, families would be forced to go without basic necessities that many take for granted, such as soap, toothpaste, and cleaning supplies.
For the pantry members, who often live in fuel poverty, these products represent a significant improvement in their ability to maintain a sense of normalcy and personal dignity. The Hygiene Bank’s donations not only meet immediate needs but also help prevent waste, with many items being saved from landfill.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has significantly impacted EitC’s service users, driving more families to seek help from the Blue Pantry. Rising costs have put essentials like food and hygiene products out of reach for many, resulting in an increased demand for pantry services. To address this growing need, EitC has expanded its partnerships and services, providing wraparound support to families living in long-term poverty.
The organisation now works closely with external agencies to offer additional services that tackle poverty at its root. This includes help with benefits, housing support, and employability workshops. These measures ensure that the pantry not only feeds its members, but also addresses financial instability, aiming to provide families with the tools they need to regain their independence.
Feedback from Blue Pantry users is overwhelmingly positive. Many report feeling safer and more supported due to the provisions available at the pantry. These services have created a sense of community and belonging, often leading individuals to engage in other EitC programmes that further enhance their lives. The recurring sentiment from service users -often summed up in the phrase, “Everton have changed my life” -reflects the deep and lasting impact of these initiatives.
Sarah Atherton, Place Programme Manager for Everton in the Community’s Blue Family and Neighbourhood Operations, said: “We’re extremely grateful for The Hygiene Bank’s continued support for our Blue Base Pantry. This partnership has been a great addition to the pantry’s offering, and we’ve found that providing essential hygiene products and household items is equally as important as giving local families access to discounted food.
“A particular highlight of the partnership so far was in December 2023, when we received approximately £7,500 worth of L’oreal products from The Hygiene Bank which were then redistributed to our pantry members; saving approximately 250kg of goods from landfill. This not only put a smile on their faces in the build-up to Christmas but went a long way to supporting many households during the festive season. We look forward to continuing to work closely with The Hygiene bank and seeing how the partnership develops further.”
As the pantry grows, so does its ability to improve the lives of those it serves. To date, the pantry has fed over 41,000 individuals and saved more than 298 tonnes of food from landfill. It has also provided over 1,500 unique children with high-quality, discounted food whilst also offering vital hygiene products.
The Blue Pantry has become a lifeline for many in Merseyside. One poignant example is of a family who, having struggled with long-term poverty, found more than just food assistance at the pantry. With the pantry’s help, they accessed hygiene products, health services, and employment opportunities through EitC’s wider network of partners. Over time, this family transitioned from survival mode to a place of stability, where they could begin focusing on long-term goals, such as securing employment and improving their overall well-being.
Another success story involves the pantry’s growing ‘Clothes Swap Shop’, which launched in March 2024. This initiative has provided hundreds of pantry members with access to new clothing for free, allowing individuals to focus their limited resources on other essential items.
Everton in the Community’s partnership with The Hygiene Bank has proven to be a powerful force for good in Merseyside. Together, they’ve not only provided essential food and hygiene products to thousands but also offered pathways out of poverty through holistic, wrap-around services. As demand for these services continues to rise amid the cost-of-living crisis, the Blue Pantry remains a beacon of hope, empowerment, and support for the region’s most vulnerable families.
If you want to learn more about the amazing work Everton in the Community, visit the charity’s website at www.evertoninthecommunity.org
Tony McArdle
Tony McArdle
