ALDI GAINSBOROUGH

We believe everyone in society should have equal opportunities and choice to live the life they choose to live. We provide group sessions, dropin, food sharing, short courses, information advice and guidance, advocacy for dealing with issues with statutory and private companies, and we provide opportunities and empowerment to members to seek a better quality of life.

We are a foodbank with a difference. Our aims are to relieve food poverty and support families and individuals by distributing food to them, and to reduce food waste As well as non-perishable food, we collect food that is fresh, chilled, frozen or close to its use by date. Where possible food is frozen to preserve it. Where this is not possible, we look to distribute it quickly so that it can be used before it is out of date or perished. We are based in the Isle of Axholme and offer parcel deliveries across this large rural area and close villages. The Community Pantry however is open to everyone. On a typical week we deliver about 70 food parcels and have more than 20 visitors to the Community Pantry. We estimate that this helps to feed more than 300 people in total. We accept donations of surplus food from our foodshare partners - typically food shops, restaurants, food businesses, allotment holders and local farmers. We take good food that is surplus to their requirements or close to date and would otherwise go to waste. We also have our own allotment where fresh seasonal vegetables are grwon by our volunteers. We accept donations from individuals at a network of community collection points. These are in shops, churches, schools, community centres etc, All food is checked to make sure that it is safe to be used then it will be stored or distributed to families and individuals. Our Community Pantry operates on a Friday morning and incorporates Community Cuppa, providing a place for people to enjoy coffee and cake wjile waiting for their turn in the pantry. The Community Cuppa is also an information point signposting people to further support and help. We have internet enabled computers and can assist people in completing online searches and applications etc. We often have visitors to help - local councillors, citizen's advice, social prescribing etc. The Community Cuppa is also a place where people can come simply to socialise and is demetia friendly.

We support vulnerable adults experiencing mental health difficulties. We regularly combat food and fuel poverty. We run a daily drop-in at x-church combined with a soup kitchen.