ALDI MANCHESTER - HEATON CHAPEL

Provision of relief of items to vulnerable and disadvantaged families. We now want to launch a community hub but need more funding, help with fridge and a space to fully launch the hub. When this is accomplished we will be able to increase our beneficiary base as well as increase our services. People will not have to wait to get appointments before accessing food. They can get come in everyday we are open to eat.

The Polish Centre Wilno Manchester is a newly established not for profit organisation run by volunteers. The aim of the Centre is to bring together the whole community in a happy and friendly atmosphere and to showcase our Polish traditions, history and culture. It is for the use and benefit of everyone irrespective of age, heritage or connection to Poland. Everyone is welcome at the Centre. We distribute food and essentials to families, the elderly and vulnerable people who are on low income who are struggling financially. We are looking for volunteers, sponsorship and donations to help with the running and maintenance costs of the Centre and we would also like to make use of any surplus food or other goods that you may be able to provide so that we can give it to people who are most in need in the community. There are lots of local families with children who struggle to make ends meet and there are lots of elderly people who are lonely and isolated who could make use of our Centre and what we can offer them. With your help we can make a difference to many people's lives.

In 2013 it was noticed that there was a huge increase in the number of individuals and families accessing food banks in Stockport. We wanted to find a way to help before they reached the crisis point of needing emergency food parcels. This where we came up with the idea for Your Local Pantry. Penny Lane Pantry was launched in August 2013. with 150 memberships available. Members pay a small, weekly subscription fee of £2.50 and in return members can select at least 10 items from the pantry's shelves - often worth in excess of £15.00 at retail. The pantry stocks a wide range of goods including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen, toiletries and all the usual store cupboard favourites. However, the pantry is more than just about food,. We offer local residents the opportunity to volunteer in the shop helping them to build confidence, gain new skills and attend training. 10 people have moved on to full time, paid employment thanks to the support the pantry offers. The pantry holds cookery courses and demonstrations encouraging people to try new things and cook their own recipes from scratch, using all the ingredients from the pantry. The pantry has proved so successful we know how 4 shops across Stockport, supporting over 600 members and staffed by 35 volunteers.