M&S Leighton Buzzard Foodhall

At Dream Earth Project, our mission is to create a sustainable and equitable food system that prioritizes the reduction of food waste and the redistribution of surplus food to those in need. We strive to reduce the environmental impact of food waste by implementing composting and other sustainable solutions that return nutrients to the earth and promote healthy soil. Through community engagement and education, we aim to empower individuals to take action towards reducing food waste and building a more sustainable future. We recognize the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues and seek to promote holistic solutions that improve both the health of our planet and the wellbeing of our communities. At Dream Earth Project, we believe that every individual has a role to play in creating a more sustainable future, and we are committed to working together towards that vision. The Dream Earth Project (DEP) focuses on sustainable solutions for food surplus generated by local businesses in North and Northwest London and surrounding areas. The project has both environmental and social aspects, with the aim of preventing food waste and channeling food surplus to communities in need. DEP also aims to educate the wider public, including schools and businesses, about the issue of food waste. In addition to supporting communities, DEP aims to develop processes that help local authorities and supermarkets divert food waste from landfills to more environmentally friendly methods such as composting and producing substrates to grow mushrooms. The project intends to research and utilize alternative food waste solutions and create training materials for individuals and businesses to implement on a larger scale. DEP also plans to create a community garden in the future to teach people of all ages about the world of plants and how gardening can benefit mental wellbeing and strengthen people's commitment to the environmental cause. Currently, DEP provides food for a stall in Stanmore and a warehouse in Watford Wolsey Business Park, free open to everyone. The project also delivers food to those with limited means of transport and mobility problems. With the help of 60 dedicated volunteers DEP works directly with communities to support local schools, foodbanks, churches, mosques, and other causes. Some of the projects , institutions and organisations we support : Watford Otley family centre Read centre ( Watford mosque) Watford mosque Haven ( New Hope) Sanctuary ( New Hope) Gokula cafe Meriden centre Watford South Oxhey Baptist church food bank Borehamwood Help for the homeless WD6 food support Harrow Soul kitchen ( Kenmore children's centre Stanmore, Harrow mosque ) Colindale foodbank Sufra London Alperton mosque Schools: Field junior school Watford Horsenden primary

We provide two main services, the first is food parcels to those in our community that are struggling financially. Parcels are issued fortnightly to between 70 & 100 individuals & families, providing them with sufficient food for at least one meal per day until the next parcel is due. We also provide monthly toiletry packs, and cleaning packs. This service is free to those in need, and self referrals are welcomed. This is based at our first premises, a warehouse where parcels are made & can be collected. Alongside this, we also store the stock for the second service we provide. This second service is a Community Fridge & Social Supermarket. The community fridge provision allows us to bring together all the food collected from the local supermarkets and food providers that they are no longer able to sell. It is all checked it meets Government food safety standards, before it is displayed in our Shop for anyone in the local community to pop in & choose from. There is no charge for this service, although donations are very welcome towards our costs. We have a fair usage policy for this service. In addition to this, our shop also acts as a Social Supermarket, where we sell items donated to us by Amazon, they are no longer able to sell. This could be damaged packaging, or end of lines, and can range from cans of pop to cleaning products, clothing, toiletries and other items. Everything we sell is again checked for breakages, expiry dates etc, and sold at least 66% below the market pricing and the shop is open 5 days per week, plus a Saturday market stall. Whilst the above is the core of our support services, we have a policy to ensure we look at other areas of support that may be needed. In the past we have purchased beds, white goods, clothing and other items that have been needed to ensure our service users have access to their basic needs. We have connections with local schools, care homes, Rotary, Scouting groups, & other charities whom we assist with donations when required. We have a regular programme for Duke of Edinburgh students to do their volunteering, as well as a local school for children with behaviour difficulties. We give them an opportunity they wouldn't normally have, to come do work experience with us in our warehouse, or stock is taken to them to pack for us for those not able to visit us. We have regular visits & chats with local scout & guide groups, helping them earn their community badges too. We have around 75 volunteers making all this work, and two paid employees as team leaders.

Open Door Sanctuary is a Christian Church and registered charity which works closely with local communities within Milton Keynes and across Northamptonshire. The Church serves as a place of hope for both Spiritual and Physical nourishment for locals. The emphasis is really on the community where the doors are opened to support with not only with food items but also engaging people via mental health workshops to support and improve their wellbeing. We identify service users and their needs by interacting with the community on one-to-one basis and also through bespoke meetings and workshops. We also provide other various including when they are ill and recovering after being in hospital. We send them food parcels like fruits, drinks, water to help meet their needs. We do not only support with food support but also offer counselling, prayers, fundraising activities in the community towards providing help for families and people with special needs and disability. There is not a charge for services. We have partnered with other local groups to help support people with disabilities. One of them - Hopeful Vessels Community Group, Looprun and Salvation Army - Milton Keynes. We intend to reach out beyond Old Farm Park areas with Food Bank donations especially on Sundays as most Food Banks may not be opened. This will increase our scope of serving the community and surrounding local areas during out of hours. There is footage that demonstrates our organisation's work in the local communit – see below details/pictures of Food bank and Community Teatime: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1059802955102673?s=chYV2B&fs=e Details / Pictures from a fundraising to support local Community Group by Hopeful Vessels, which is a Community Group in Milton Keynes supporting families and children with disabilities. Open Door Sanctuary VBCI played a role by providing the venue and other resources. Some of the members also provided food and drinks. It was a great success and attended by the Deputy Mayoress and local football club MK Dons. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/rf8ZrUqt8hkCPgwK/ Please use the link below to view Open Door Sanctuary - Milton Keynes Branch. https://vbci.org.uk/branches/opendoor/