M&S Irvine

Lochwinnoch Food Committee is a dignified food project with a Pantry distributing surplus food from supermarkets four days per week. We deliver parcels to vulnerable houses on a fifth day, and out Community Fridge/Freezer is open 24/7 for members. Membership is free and we operate on a pay-what-you can donation basis. We have nearly 2000 members and more than 70 volunteers aged from 12 to 80! The aims of the projects are to tackle food insecurity locally as well as the climate emergency. We grow our own food too in local sites. The Larder is about more than just food though - it's a social hub where friendships form and people connect. We're reducing social isolation and also helping to signpost people to other support services; it's easy to fall through the gaps when living rurally. People from across Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire access the project - all are welcome! We also run free cooking classes as fermenting demonstrations. We also have two sister-projects: the Feel Good Festival is a programme of wellbeing events designed to help build community, connect people and tackle mental health. We also have Diggin' It which is an initiative supporting people to grow their own food from their own homes. It includes a free Seed Library and a garden equipment swap-shop. We are also developing a new project idea to help us become more financially sustainable. the idea is for this to be a retail space and Community Hub. We hope to develop a community kitchen, charity shop and pop-up eatery which we can use for all the projects and could also help generate some income. Between the projects, we can use pretty much any kind of surplus - food, kitchen equipment, homeware, clothes, decorating equipment and tools, gardening equipment and plants.

Assist in the preservation and protection of life. in furtherance of this object but not further or otherwise the charity shall seek: i. to establish and maintain an organisation of skilled volunteers to provide a service in the interests of the safety of the general public. ii. to assist the local authorities, other relevant voluntary sector organisations and national government in times of crisis. iii. to advance the education of the public, of all ages without discrimination, in all aspects of safety. iv. to assist in safeguarding persons in times of crisis.

The larder was set up to provide dignified food, which is food sold at a greatly reduced price as people would rather pay something for food than get it for nothing. Our larder has now developed into a warm space as well as food they can make new friends and enjoy a cup of coffee and cake. It is important for us to take a holistic approach and we also offer advice on housing, debt, benefits by linking anyone who needs help with the appropriate services. The larder is open to all and a yearly membership is only £3.00 which enables them to spend up to £10 on food. Food donated by Neighbourly would be given free to all Larder members but food purchased by us is sold at a greatly reduce price.