Pret Reading, The Oracle Centre

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!

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/

At Reading Food Redistribution & Community Support, we believe in reducing food waste and supporting those in need within our community. We collect surplus food from local stores, restaurants, and individuals, preventing perfectly good food from going to waste. Every Sunday evening, our dedicated volunteers come together to cook wholesome, hot meals which we distribute to the homeless and vulnerable in Reading town center. Our mission is simple: nourish those in need, reduce waste, and bring our community together through compassion and care. Join us in making a difference—whether by donating surplus food, volunteering your time, or spreading the word. Together, we can fight food waste and support those who need it most.