M&S Summertown

Named Witney Community Organisation of the Year 2023, the Witney Food Revolution is a volunteer-powered Community Action Group founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food while minimising waste. Our mission is twofold: to combat food surplus and hunger simultaneously. For example, in January 2024 alone, our Community Fridge and Larder redistributed approximately 14,000kg (that's 14 tonnes!) of food. Without our efforts, this food would have gone to landfill, but instead, we were able to share it with about 2,000 visitors. Our Environmental Commitment: We're passionate about environmental stewardship. By intercepting surplus food from local businesses, markets, and farms, we mitigate waste and reduce the environmental footprint associated with food production and disposal. Through our efforts, we contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet and educate our community on the value in protecting our environment for generations to come. Supporting Food Security: However, our impact goes beyond compost heaps and recycling bins. Recognising the pressing issue of food insecurity and poverty in our community, we've made it our mission to ensure that surplus food doesn't go to waste but instead reaches those in need. Through partnerships with supermarkets, national brands, food groups, food banks, and community centres, we channel this surplus to nourish individuals and families facing hunger and financial hardship during the current cost of living crisis and beyond. Community Collaboration: None of this would be possible without the tireless dedication of our volunteers, partners, and supporters. Together, we form a tight-knit community committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of both people and the planet. Join us in our mission. Together, we can turn surplus into sustenance and transform our community, one meal at a time.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise called Glass Mill Social Enterprise C.I.C. This is more than food and is part of a platform called RSBA1 (Response, Sustain, Build, Achieve). A free supportive services platform to help people get back on their feet. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the happy stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and clothing to people facing a challenge. Whatever you can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. As everything given and everybody counts. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun food donations can include fresh fruit, vegetables, bakery items and non perishables. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with your food donations. Therefore we need your help to ensure we can supply the demand in this crisis. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. We, therefore, are a platform for a voice to be heard in the community and share life changing stories. It would be great to have more partners become part of these stories in your local community. Looprun has also expanded into providing toiletries and brand new items of clothing. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: www.loopruninstore.org

Food is supplied to us free by supermarkets and wholesalers and we redistribute to charities at no cost. This helps reduce food waste in the local area – one of our main aims The food is then distributed free of charge to other local charities who provide food for their clients This ensures that the food gets to the right people, and helps us to achieve our second aim of reducing food poverty It also helps these charities to provide much needed additional support in other areas by reducing their food costs Most of our operations are carried out by volunteers, helping us to provide around £10 of food for every £1 donated We believe that this is the most effective mode of operation and would happily provide advice for other new start-up food hubs wishing to follow our lead