Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project - Creating a Place to Belong by Leveraging the Strengths of the Social Welfare Council

It is said that neighborhood relationships have become thin these days.

While one might think, "It's easy because there are no unnecessary interactions in my busy life," there are also thoughts like, "Where should I consult about that issue in this area...?" and "Even if I have worries, there’s no one or place I can casually consult with when it comes to it..."

In Kurashiki City, there is a new system of mutual support and monitoring that places food ingredients, daily necessities, and "kind helpers" to assist each other in the neighborhood.

Its name is the Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project.

While "Gokinjo" means "neighbor," it makes one curious about what other contents it includes.

We interviewed Takeshi Matsuoka, a life support coordinator at the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council.

What is the Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project?

The Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project (hereafter: Gokinjo Pantry) is a new initiative to overcome small troubles such as work-related issues, parenting concerns, and building friendships together with local people rather than alone.

It connects what local people can do and places food ingredients, daily necessities, and "kind helpers" right next to each individual's life (the neighborhood), creating a system where we help each other and monitor and support one another.

The Gokinjo Pantry started in January 2021.

"Pantry" means "a room for storing food items," and as can be inferred from the term "Pantry Project," it combines activities of "distributing food ingredients" with a system that actually provides a place for people to gather.

Food ingredients and daily necessities donated by various supporters and helpers are utilized for discovering and consulting about troubles in the nearby "neighborhood."

▼ The features are as follows:

Let's introduce what kind of content it includes, little by little.

Recruitment of providers for food ingredients and daily necessities

The Gokinjo Pantry receives food ingredients and daily necessities from various companies, organizations, and individuals.

They collect items that are close to their expiration dates, products with packaging defects, and excess vegetables, delivering the goodwill of companies and producers to the target area.

As of September 2021, approximately 130 donations have been received from companies, organizations, and individuals.

▼ The food ingredients and daily necessities that have been supported so far include the following:

Recruitment of Gokinjo Pantry supporters

In addition to recruiting providers of food ingredients and daily necessities, we are also recruiting Gokinjo Pantry supporters.

Gokinjo Pantry supporters set up "Gokinjo Pantry Boxes" filled with food ingredients and daily necessities collected from the community.

They then distribute food ingredients and daily necessities to those in need.

The "hopefuls" are the people in the "neighborhood" where the Gokinjo Pantry Boxes are set up.

Through interactions that can only happen among neighbors, support for "awareness," "acceptance," "support," and "connection" is expected.

▼ The support activities so far are as follows:

At the time of the project's launch (January 2021), there were about 4 to 5 locations, but as of October 2021, it has increased to 60 locations.

▼ For example, the following places have been set up as locations for Gokinjo Pantry Boxes:

At the locations of the Gokinjo Pantry Boxes, there is a role of "creating a place" where people in the community who are in trouble can come and receive food items while listening to their stories slowly.

Collaboration with consultation and support organizations

Recruiting and providing food ingredients and daily necessities is very important.

However, what sets the "Gokinjo Pantry" apart is its greatest feature: collaboration with consultation and support organizations.

During the interview, I felt that this was the most important matter.

By collaborating with organizations responsible for consultation and support, the Gokinjo Pantry makes it easier to discover troubles in the community and for individuals.

Food support and monitoring support spread throughout Kurashiki City, transcending the boundaries of systems, affiliations, and targets.

In other words, Gokinjo Pantry supporters aim to create a "place" where troubles can be shared, while consultation support organizations aim to create a "reception" that does not miss any "troubles" through collaboration.

▼ The specific consultation and support organizations are as follows:

I spoke with Takeshi Matsuoka, the chief life support coordinator of the Life Welfare Division at the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council, about the activities of the Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project.

Matsuoka and the life support coordinators are engaged in activities that support salon activities that connect with the community and mutual support activities.

What kind of thoughts led to the birth of the Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project?

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