ALDI WIDNES - GREEN OAKS WAY

We help families to have advocacy and choice regarding what they feed their family, educating them how to cook healthy meals eco-efficiently on a budget, in addition to preventing landfill and waste. Our pantry is open once a week and families come along and are given tea/coffee/juice and toast (free of charge). There is a real community feel with sharing of information and signposting. They then see a demonstration of the preparation, and cooking of a healthy family meal by 'Lets Cook' trained volunteers. At the end of the demonstration they are given a mini taster of the dish and the ingredients for the meal. They pay £3.50 for the ingredients which will have cost of approximately £6 (this is currently subsidised by grant funding from KMBC). Then they can use the pantry shop and choose items (the number is determined weekly depending on what we have accessed/had delivered). We had worked in partnership with the Big Help/Knowsley Foodbank but its recent demise has meant we have had to quickly create a different offer. In response we have set up a membership with Fare Share for a 2 Hub delivery out of the £3.50 payment but the content is variable and we would benefit from any additional food/toiletries/cleaning products/anything to top up our shop. It is important to note here that we also use £1 of every £3.50 to provide a free lunch and activity programme in the park for children and their families one day of every school holiday week. The aforementioned makes our offer one families are proud to use and prevents stigma being attached in terms of everyone using the pantry is preventing landfill, doing their bit for the environment and helping support the free lunch and activity programme which is why it is so important to keep our offer's going. We would appreciate any help/support at all, particularly as we are in a new era of the pantry. We currently have over 115 families (and growing) every week and are very proud of the offer we have. We are 100% volunteer led and set up four years ago in direct response to the needs of our community.

We redistribute surplus food from supermarkets to the local community and local charities. This not only saved food from landfill but also helps to build community. - What premises does your project operate from? Currently 38 Linkside Rd, L25 9NX. This is registered with EHO. We have just been offered one day a week in a local shop. We are also working with two local councillors (Mirna Juarez and Sharon Connor) to rent space in a local church hall in an evening too. - How do you identify service users and their needs? They approach us through our facebook page, word of mouth or other people/organisations direct them to ourselves. For example, Alice Bennett, an ex local councillor directed us to a lady with seven children. They also come to our Friday community event in Hunts Cross Gardens. - Are there any other services provided by your organisation other than food support? Our other aim is building community and providing opportunities for volunteering. - Is there a charge for the service(s) provided by your organisation? No - Do you currently collect surplus food from any other retailers? Yes – Tesco and a local Co op. - Has there been local press or similar that demonstrates your organisation's work in the local community? Not yet although the local councillors do share our facebook page. - Would it be possible to provide photographs of work that your organisation does in the local community? There are lots on our facebook page and Instagram page - Is your project a registered charity, registered CIC, social enterprise or non-profit organisation? We have made an application. - Have you partnered with other local good causes or council members who may be able to provide a reference? If you would like to provide a reference from a local organisation, if you could ask them to email us at food@neighbourly.com as soon as possible, that would be great. Coucillors: Sharon Connor, Kris Brown, Malcolm Kelly and Mirna Juarez. Unifill – local shop. LIAN – Liverpool in arms at night. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Fika community event Hunts Cross Community – we run a weekly event in the community gardens. St Hilda's Play group - Please include up to date social media links wherever possible https://www.facebook.com/South-Liverpool-Zero-Waste-Community-109456151330567

We are a community hub providing social inclusion activities and opportunities to our members who have additional needs and require support in this area. We offer a safe and welcoming 'home from home' environment. Inclusion and reducing waste is at the heart of all of the work that we do within our community.