Sainsbury's Ely

- General charitable purposes - Education/training - The advancement of health or saving of lives - Disability - Arts/culture/heritage/science - Environment/conservation/heritage - Economic/community development/employment - Armed forces/emergency service efficiency - Human rights/religious or racial harmony/equality or diversity - Recreation - Other charitable purposes - Children/young people - Elderly/old people - People with disabilities - Other charities or voluntary bodies - The general public/mankind - Provides buildings/facilities/open space - Provides advocacy/advice/information - Acts as an umbrella or resource body

We aim to be a one stop shop for residents of Ely to come and get some hot food and drinks and to get advice on issues they face. We are home to tearooms and a pregnancy information centre offering support, counselling and 'Kiddy Kits' to those in need. We also run a foodbank giving emergency food to local people in crisis. For older members of our community, we run a social club that meets for lunch, games, chat and bingo. And for youngsters, our children's groups create lots of fun for toddlers with ride-on toys, messy play, crafts, soft play and more!

We provide food parcels monthly for 18 families (80 people) in Burwell who have been impacted by Covid and the cost of living crisis beyond and anticipate that these numbers may increase. Families have been referred to us by the Burwell Help Scheme co-ordinator , family workers and Social Prescriber. In addition we provide a menu and all ingredients for one family meal per month which the families are able to cook together and eat at home. Everything is provided completely free of charge and we have also been able to provide basic cooking utensils to enhance the project's effectiveness. We have also been able to provide a special basket of fruit during some school holidays but this depends on funding levels. Many of these families are on a very low income, have very little and are unable to provide food for their families - they are very grateful for the help provided. We hope to reduce poverty and promote equality and inclusivity. Another benefit is to develop literacy and numeracy skills of children by offering opportunities for reading and following recipe instructions as well as through measuring out ingredients. We hope this will help with reduction in family pressures, improved well being , healthy food options, feeling part of a community. We aim to be inclusive and offer to all families referred to us. The majority of families are white British with a smaller number from other ethnic groups. We are also able to invite the families to community and church events including fun family afternoons, craft evenings, film nights, Jubilee BBQ etc. but these events are all separately funded by the church and will not impact on the wider project funding.