ALDI READING - BATH RD

We are a homelessness charity in the heart of Reading providing food, toiletries and even pet food but just as importantly, time, respect and empathy to those in need within our local community. We run on the kindness of donations and an amazing volunteering team, and are always on the look out for both! Opening 6 days a week, we are able to offer two All Day Cafes, a hot evening meal, Saturday breakfast cafe and 3 community fridge sessions. We are becoming busier and busier - estimating to make over 1000 cups of hot drinks a week, our basic provisions bill can be pretty high! Bagfuls of much needed toiletries are also given out once per month to each guest - this represents a cost to us of over £500 every 4 weeks. We know we make a positive difference to those we serve - following a recent survey at New Beginnings, our guests told us they were massively appreciative and grateful for all we are able offer. As times are getting tougher for so many, we at New Beginnings look to make life a little easier with not only provisions, a shower and laundry facilities but with compassion and kindness whilst ensuring our guests dignity and respect at all times. We would be hugely grateful if you would look to give us your support and we are so very grateful to Lidl for this amazing opportunity! Our fantastic team of volunteers are the backbone to New Beginnings and with the opportunity for such an amazing grant, we know we can continue to make such a positive impact on so many lives. Thank you so much!

Zero Hunger is a community-led food movement dedicated to reducing food insecurity, preventing loneliness, and tackling food waste across Hart, Rushmoor, Basingstoke & Deane and surrounding areas. We provide access to quality surplus food through our community outreach venues, helping individuals and families facing financial hardship while also creating welcoming, safe spaces where people can connect and feel supported. Our work helps save tonnes of perfectly good food from going to waste each year and redistributes it directly back into the community. We currently serve between 400 to 500 people and week. Alongside food support, we actively promote wellbeing, inclusion, and community engagement through volunteer opportunities and local partnerships. Our volunteers — known as Food Heroes — are at the heart of everything we do and help us create a positive, non-judgemental environment for everyone who accesses our services. We are always grateful for support in the form of surplus food donations, volunteers, and community partnerships. Additional support allows us to expand our outreach, reach more vulnerable people, and continue building stronger, healthier communities where no one goes hungry or feels alone.

Food Rescue Group, Reading addresses one of today’s most pressing environmental and social challenges: food waste. Perfectly edible food is often thrown away, wasting valuable resources and contributing to climate change through methane emissions from landfill. At the same time, many households face financial pressures that make access to affordable, healthy food increasingly difficult. By rescuing surplus food, the group tackles both issues at once, reducing waste while sharing good food across the community. In Reading, the group works closely with local supermarkets and retailers to collect food that would otherwise go unused. Importantly, volunteers pick up surplus food at times when charities are unable to collect, ensuring these opportunities are not lost. Volunteers use what they need within their own households and share the rest with friends, colleagues, neighbours, churches, and community centres, so that nothing is wasted. All food is distributed completely free of charge. The work is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers, including local residents, community group members, and students, who ensure food is collected and redistributed shortly after it becomes available. This rapid turnaround helps maintain freshness, supports food safety standards, and removes the need for long-term storage. Any food unsuitable for human consumption is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Pickup and coordination are led by Vasiliki Tsioligka, Kay K, Preeti Chadda, and Erma Dyall, who oversee collections, manage schedules, and ensure surplus food is distributed as soon as possible. Their leadership keeps the process organised, efficient, and firmly community-focused. Day-to-day operations are supported through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection times, locations, and available quantities. This system enables quick responses, effective coordination, and smooth distribution. The impact is immediate and tangible. Every kilogram of food rescued reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves resources, and provides meals that bring people together. Beyond the numbers, the initiative strengthens community connections, builds resilience, and encourages a shared commitment to sustainability. As the group continues to grow, its vision remains clear: small, consistent actions can lead to lasting change. In Reading, that change is already happening, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.