Sainsbury's Dudley Wordsley Local

Cgl provides a range of services to support individuals, families and communities whose lives are adversely affected by crime, substance misuse, homelessness, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, social deprivation and lack of opportunity. the charity works with challenging service users with complex needs, including those with entrenched drug habits and offending behaviour.

We are a voluntary organisation that consists of about 40 + volunteers. We are a diverse bunch and always ready to welcome any one who would like to join us , especially if they can deliver meals to our guests on Thursdays. FoDK is a community kitchen which is recognised by Wolverhampton Council and operates out of a private home. We have also recently gained the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. Two of our volunteers went to London and all of us received the award in Birmingham. Our guests said it was nice that the work we do is seen by others as valuable. When the lockdown started we wondered how we were going to serve our guests, who used to come to a church hall for their meal. We usually served between 50-70 guests. It was decided we would deliver the food as we were no longer allowed to meet inside. In April 2020 we took out 6 meals and gave the rest to a local night shelter. We are currently (May 2025) serving 970+ guests every Thursday. We serve individuals, couples, mixed occupancy housing groups, families ,we feed over 480 children and we send a family bag of fresh produce donated by local supermarkets, mainly given by local Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury stores. When there is not always very much surplus to offer, we try to supplement with food bought via FareShare. We run entirely on donations and grants, there are no paid staff and all monies raised go on feeding those in need across our city. We would like to send out extra food bags to all our guests if we could and constantly look for partners to help us. Presently, only families with children are receiving the surplus we collect. However many individuals and couples would benefit from a little extra too. We take referrals from a variety of routes, from schools, social workers, other charities, police, or self-referral. On our website www.FODK.org you can find our contact details. We also are always on the look out for new volunteers. We are a diverse group of volunteers and welcome everyone. We need drivers with their own transport or others who will shop, collect, prepare, fundraise. We also have some work experience students from local schools and care leavers. Whatever your strengths we can use your talents. We do have a formal constitution and our own bank account and are recognised by Wolverhampton City Council as a Community Kitchen. It has been inspected and received a grade 5 Food Safety Rating. Several volunteers also have their Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene award. We were at St Andrew’s church as a place of welcome, on Mondays, this is now kept open by the church for us, 9.30-12.00 ( not Bank Holidays) Andy’s Place of Welcome runs Fridays 9.30-12.00. We are trying to bring a sense of community back, a place to meet and talk, various activities will be available and agencies such as health, education , local groups invited in to help share local information. Small steps in these continuing difficult times.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise. This is more than food and is part of a supportive services platform to help people get sustained in their own individual way. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the impact stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and brand new clothing to people facing a temporary challenge. Whatever supermarkets, stores, and retailers can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. This is a response to real people in real-time. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes, soup kitchens and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with food donations. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. All are invited to become part of these sustainable stories in your local community. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: https://www.looprun-sciv.online/