Kurashiki Mutual Support Pantry Project: Creating a Place to Belong by Leveraging the Strengths of the Social Welfare Council

Interview with Takeshi Matsuoka

When did the project begin, and what prompted it?

Matsuoka (honorific omitted)

It officially began in January 2021.

One reason was that the COVID-19 pandemic had continued for a long time.

When local residents get together, they chat about all sorts of things. But as the pandemic dragged on, people could no longer gather.

In fact, these conversations often contain all kinds of local information.

But when people couldn't get together, they could no longer talk about the little problems they were facing.

They ended up keeping their problems to themselves, and as they gradually piled up, the situation became more serious.

By the time they came to the municipal government or the Council of Social Welfare for help, their situations had become even more complicated.

With people unable to gather in large groups during the pandemic, we needed a way to identify local problems and people in need, and a system to listen to their concerns and connect them with support organizations.

The Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project was born precisely because of the pandemic.

Another foundation for the project was support for disaster-stricken areas following the heavy rains in July 2018.

At the time, people from Kurashiki City and outside Okayama Prefecture thought, “This could happen to anyone…” and looked for ways they could help.

It was difficult to travel to the affected areas and volunteer, but people sent relief supplies and shared their heartfelt support.

As community support coordinators, we helped create “places for people to gather” and “systems” in the disaster-stricken areas.

Among these efforts, relief supplies were extremely helpful.

The disaster affected such a wide area that people living in temporary housing had moved there from many different communities.

As a result, there were few opportunities to meet people at first, and residents found it difficult to talk to one another.

At first, people simply thought, “Oh, this is a big help,” when they saw relief supplies such as food, clothing, and household goods. But that feeling changed into a sense of comfort: “If I go where the supplies are being handed out, I can meet people and chat.”

In other words, relief supplies can serve as an “entry point” for creating opportunities to meet people.

Seeing how these relationships spread among residents was also an important reason the Kurashiki Gokinjo Pantry Project came about.

So this isn't a pantry project just for people struggling financially?

Matsuoka

Of course, supporting people struggling financially is one aspect of it.

It's important that Gokinjo Pantry activities deliver food and other items to people in financial hardship. But I think what makes this a characteristically social welfare council initiative is that the activities also reach people at an earlier stage, before they fall into hardship.

The Council of Social Welfare also administers a livelihood welfare loan program. During the pandemic, many people whose work had decreased and whose lives had become financially difficult came to apply when they could no longer manage.

When we talked with them during the application process, it seemed that they had faced “a little difficulty” before their finances became strained.

If the community had noticed and looked out for them at that stage, or connected them with support organizations, there might have been ways to help.

Some people may have fallen into hardship because they had no connections to turn to...

Activities that leverage the strengths of the Council of Social Welfare

Is this the kind of initiative other organizations are also undertaking?

Matsuoka

This is a new initiative.

In Kurashiki City, NPOs and social welfare corporations have been operating food banks for some time, but their support was aimed at people within their own service areas.

In a way that is characteristic of a council of social welfare, Gokinjo Pantry provides support by working with local volunteers, residents, and organizations, “while trusting in the strength of residents.”

It is an activity that leverages the strengths of the Council of Social Welfare.

What kinds of activities have you carried out so far?

Matsuoka

We needed to gather food and household goods for the activities, so we called on individuals, organizations, and businesses to donate them “as a new way to participate in society.”

For example, businesses stockpile large quantities of food and other supplies in preparation for disasters.

They sometimes replace stockpiled items because of expiration dates and other considerations, and they have donated these as part of their contribution to society.

For individuals, it can be difficult for farmers and people who grow vegetables themselves to give away their surplus directly to people in need. But they can entrust them to Gokinjo Pantry “as if sharing a little extra.”

Entrusting items to the project is also a form of contributing to society.

As of September 2021, around 130 businesses, organizations, and individuals have made donations.

We also need people to pack donated food and household goods into “Gokinjo Pantry Boxes” and distribute them to people throughout the community.

The Kurashiki City Council of Social Welfare receives many donations every day, but there was a problem: we couldn't store such large quantities here alone.

With the cooperation of various people, placing Gokinjo Pantry Boxes in different locations also makes it possible to secure storage space.

We place them at locations that volunteer to host them, but we don't just ask them to store the boxes—we ask them to use them for the activities most needed in their community at that time.

How to become a Gokinjo Pantry Supporter

What should someone do to become a Gokinjo Pantry Supporter?

Matsuoka

If you contact the Kurashiki City Council of Social Welfare, a council staff member responsible for your area will work with you to plan things out and consider what kind of system to set up.

The reverse can happen too: the Kurashiki City Council of Social Welfare may approach you.

Of the 63 elementary school districts in Kurashiki City, around 60 have a place where people discuss local issues.

Various volunteers, including community welfare commissioners and Aiiku Committee members, take part in these discussions.

When we report on the progress of Gokinjo Pantry at these meetings, if someone says, “I'd like to give it a try,” we reach out to them.

As of September 2021, there are 56 Gokinjo Pantry Box locations. When the project launched in January 2021, there were only about four or five.

There are still few locations operating at the elementary school district level. Some are in smaller communities, such as “housing complex units,” while others are small groups like “friendly salon groups” that have often gathered together in the past.

Some care service providers and disability service providers have also volunteered, saying, “We want to continue supporting the community,” because they are members of the community too.

Are there any set rules for getting started?

Matsuoka

Basically, there are no rules for becoming a Gokinjo Pantry Supporter.

There is just one condition.

We ask that you “include Council of Social Welfare staff in your planning meetings.”

By joining the planning meetings, we can provide information and help out in the community. We can also support the development of a network for providing assistance.

There are six community support coordinators in total, and we share and keep track of information about the Gokinjo Pantry Supporters in each of our assigned areas.

If a problem comes up, you can refer to examples from other locations.

Who uses it? Who is eligible?

What kinds of people use the project?

Matsuoka

Some users seem to be struggling financially, but many are not connected to their community.

In other words, they are people who are “socially isolated.”

People like this often have little access to information and no one to talk to about the difficulties they face.

When they use Gokinjo Pantry and connect with others, they may drop by for a chat and then head home, even if they aren't short on food.

At Gokinjo Pantry, they can get information and meet someone kind. It can also become a “place where they feel they belong.”

At first, they came to secure food, but after using it several times, they also begin to “find meaning in living in the community.”

Was there any discussion about requiring users to register?

Matsuoka

Some users don't want to tell others or let them know that they are struggling or having a hard time.

Requiring registration can help protect privacy, and some locations are considering using a key to control access to the pantry. These approaches can also be very helpful forms of support.

Getting food and other items is important, but people should not be treated in their community only as “people in financial hardship.” It is important in itself for someone to accept them, and building these relationships can help them “live in the community.”

In Kurashiki City, we aimed, in a way characteristic of a council of social welfare, to bring people together, help them “smile” and “feel encouraged,” and expand these activities.

That said, some of the 56 pantry locations are now considering requiring registration.

Each location is free to decide what kind of system to use.

Can only Kurashiki City residents use Gokinjo Pantry?

Matsuoka

Eligibility varies by location.

For example, if there is a Gokinjo Pantry Box location near the border of Kurashiki City, it can allow people from the neighboring city to use it.

Also, the 60 locations currently in operation are not open all the time. Some hold “food-sharing events twice a month” or “open a children's cafeteria when food has been collected,” but living in the target area does not necessarily mean you can participate right away.

First, if for any reason someone thinks, “I'd like to use Gokinjo Pantry,” they contact the Council of Social Welfare, which matches them with a location.

For that reason, information about the 60 locations is not made public.

It may take an extra step, but by first listening to someone's concerns, the Council of Social Welfare can also offer advice.

Do you have any plans for the future?

Matsuoka

Rather than speaking on behalf of the Kurashiki City Council of Social Welfare, this is my personal outlook as a community support coordinator working out in the community...

The fact that the number of locations grew to 60 in just 10 months shows that many people in the community are interested in building connections and want to take action.

So from now on, I want to create pathways that enable not only existing community leaders but also a wider range of people to take part in activities like Gokinjo Pantry.

Creating these pathways will help us identify problems early and build networks with businesses and organizations that we haven't been connected with before.

In a society facing a declining birthrate and an aging population, there is only so much residents can do on their own.

The community includes individuals, businesses, and organizations, so I hope we can expand our activities by joining hands with each of them as members of the community.

From the Writer

No one lives entirely alone.

When something is troubling you, you want to be able to talk to someone.

But you may not know your neighbors, or you may have no connections because you moved or transferred for work.

At times like that, it would be helpful to have a place where you can have a casual conversation while picking up food or household goods.

You don't have to go there to pick anything up. It's fine just to stop by for a chat.

Taking the first step may take courage, but why not give it a try without hesitation?

There will surely be a “kind busybody” waiting for you.

Articles about the Kurashiki City Council of Social Welfare

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