M&S Lower Earley

We are a volunteer led and run community service set up as a consequence of Covid-19 supporting the local community with fresh food and other items which would ordinarily be wasted. We ask for a £1 donation for the items we offer and we are open to anyone who can come along to us, no referral needed. SHARE Wokingham is a locally founded food sharing charity (registered number 1195620) with 15 sites in Wokingham and surrounding areas. Each week SHARE helps over 2000 people in our local community who need support foodwise by redistributing an incredible 40 tonnes of food from local supermarkets and food suppliers that would otherwise go to waste. No referral is required. Our food sharing is for anyone who feels they could do with some help – even if just temporarily. Everyone is welcome. No questions are asked. You will just find friendly faces and plenty of fresh produce.

Community development activities including community cafe, we take part in the holiday hunger campaign feeding low income families who are entitled to free school meals during term time, there is currently no such provision during holidays. We also make packages up for families in the local area who have no access to food banks, referrals are not necessary as we feel this is a more relaxed approach for the families. The community cafe has people from ages ranging from newborn to 90 years of age attending, on a monthly basis we hold a community museum for the old and new members of the public to attend, they can share they stories of Whitley to others. This helps combat isolation in the elderly and connects the elderly and young together..At Whitley community development association we believe that we can help empower the community to have a voice and go out and do rather than it being done for us. The cafe is a a place to meet, a place to air concerns, a place to help others, a place to do what the community wants us to do. We have programs running that meet our communities needs. Wcda do not charge for any of their services, we do ask where possible for a small donation to help us carry on the work that we do. Our food surplus project is still growing as we continue to look for more parrtners daily to help with the growing needs of our community.WCDA work alonside a benefits agency twice a week to help those get easy access to services that they would not necessarily be able to. Wcda have recently been on BBC south today and local radio stations to talk about food poverty in our area. WCDA have also just won the Pride of Reading Awards as the charity of the year.

Food Rescue Group, Reading addresses one of today’s most pressing environmental and social challenges: food waste. Perfectly edible food is often thrown away, wasting valuable resources and contributing to climate change through methane emissions from landfill. At the same time, many households face financial pressures that make access to affordable, healthy food increasingly difficult. By rescuing surplus food, the group tackles both issues at once, reducing waste while sharing good food across the community. In Reading, the group works closely with local supermarkets and retailers to collect food that would otherwise go unused. Importantly, volunteers pick up surplus food at times when charities are unable to collect, ensuring these opportunities are not lost. Volunteers use what they need within their own households and share the rest with friends, colleagues, neighbours, churches, and community centres, so that nothing is wasted. All food is distributed completely free of charge. The work is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers, including local residents, community group members, and students, who ensure food is collected and redistributed shortly after it becomes available. This rapid turnaround helps maintain freshness, supports food safety standards, and removes the need for long-term storage. Any food unsuitable for human consumption is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Pickup and coordination are led by Vasiliki Tsioligka, Kay K, Preeti Chadda, and Erma Dyall, who oversee collections, manage schedules, and ensure surplus food is distributed as soon as possible. Their leadership keeps the process organised, efficient, and firmly community-focused. Day-to-day operations are supported through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection times, locations, and available quantities. This system enables quick responses, effective coordination, and smooth distribution. The impact is immediate and tangible. Every kilogram of food rescued reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves resources, and provides meals that bring people together. Beyond the numbers, the initiative strengthens community connections, builds resilience, and encourages a shared commitment to sustainability. As the group continues to grow, its vision remains clear: small, consistent actions can lead to lasting change. In Reading, that change is already happening, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.