Sainsbury's Oxford Cowley Road Local

Oxford Mutual Aid is a volunteer led organisation network. Formed in response to covid-19, our core focus is helping those who, for whatever reason, struggle to access help through existing agencies. We work with a range of charities, local government, and other community groups to get help to those who need it. Mutual Aid is about solidarity rather than charity - though we work alongside many wonderful charities. Many of our volunteers also receive aid through the organisation, and we work hard to reduce the stigma around asking for support. If we can safely offer people assistance, we do so, and without any means testing. We are currently supporting around 250 households per week. We also deliver around 700 reheatable meals to people who do not have access to cooking facilities, to food insecure families in and around oxford as well as to people who are homeless. We also provide support to existing organisations including Oxford Gatehouse, Oxford Community Action, Oxford Homeless Movement, Refugee Resource, African Families in the UK and others. We have also produced over 500 washable masks for key workers and care homes, as well as providing over 1500 meals to NHS workers.

The Food Rescue Group in Oxford brings together an enthusiastic network of students, university staff, and community members who are committed to greener living and responsible consumption. Rooted in local action, the group reflects Oxford’s growing commitment to environmental sustainability and community care. As communities face increasing challenges from climate change, resource depletion, and ecological imbalance, tackling food waste has become more urgent than ever. Food waste represents a significant environmental and social issue, leading to unnecessary loss of resources, increased landfill use, and the release of methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Redirecting surplus food away from landfill not only reduces environmental harm but also ensures good food can support people across the city. The group works closely with local producers, retailers, and partners to ensure surplus food is used rather than discarded. These partnerships help businesses reduce waste and disposal costs while strengthening community resilience and delivering clear environmental benefits. Pickup and distribution in Oxford are coordinated by Saroj Saurya and Nafissa Sallah Baka, who manage volunteer scheduling, oversee collections, and ensure surplus food is shared promptly and safely within the community. Volunteers support these efforts by helping with collections and redistribution. All items are checked on collection, and anything unsuitable for consumption is disposed of responsibly. Surplus food and selected household goods are shared free of charge with students, university staff, and members of the wider Oxford community. This inclusive approach ensures a broad range of people benefit and fosters a strong sense of shared ownership and connection across neighbourhoods. Where possible, packaging is recycled or repurposed to minimise environmental impact. Through these efforts, thousands of items have been diverted from landfill, greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced, and meaningful connections have been built between people from different backgrounds. By continuing to rescue food and goods locally, the Food Rescue Group in Oxford shows that sustainability and solidarity go hand in hand. Every rescued loaf, every bag of vegetables, and every item given a second life represents a step towards a more resilient, caring, and environmentally responsible future for the city.

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, pet food, brand new clothing and gifts 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://looprunresponse.online/