ALDI FLITWICK - BEDFORD

Open to all, Flitwick Community Fridge is open 09:30-11:30 and 14:30-17:30 Monday through Friday, and 09:30 to 12:30 on Saturdays. We work to reduce food waste and support those affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. All services are free. We offer a community fridge (providing fresh food), a modest community larder, and regular cookery courses to people living locally. Flitwick Town Council hosts and provides this service with support from a team of fantastic volunteers. To find out more about the Flitwick Community Fridge, donate or volunteer, please visit https://bit.ly/3W82MmX or contact Sue Quinn, Community Services Officer, at 01525 631900 or email communityservices@flitwick.gov.uk.

-Clophill Community Hub is operated in the grounds of Clophill Village Hall in Kiln Lane, Clophill Clophill Village Hall has operated as a community facility since the 1960's, the existing hall was rebuilt in 2005 after a major fundraising effort by the Management Committee (many of whom still serve on the Committee to this day), and continues to offer one of the finest village hall facilities in Bedfordshire, including am award winning pre school operation, nursery and host of of community based activities for all ages. - In 2022 the Village Hall Committee recognised the needs of many households, not only in Clophill, but also in surrounding villages and towns, caused by the cost of living crisis and therefore embarked on a fundraising initiative to provide a Food Bank provision to support those individuals and families. As a result of great support from the local Parish Council, Central Beds Council and other donations the Clophill Foodbank + opened in December 2022 - The Foodbank + offer a range of ambient food products and household items to those in most need along with other items such as books and small children's toys. It also hosts a Facebook site ( http://www.facebook.com/clophillcommunityhub) which not only gives up to date information on the Hub, but offers a place where donators can connect with those in need to offer larger items for free, such as prams, bicycles and large toys. -The facility is open to everyone every weekday and is widely publicised through local communication such as newsletters, notice boards and social media - There is no charge for items offered by the Hub, but we hope that donators and users follow our strap-line "Give generously and take thoughtfully" Our experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive with users demonstrating care and respect for others and we have many stories from individual users on how we are helping that by in very tough times. -The Community Hub relies on donations from various drop off around local villages and towns to maintain it's supply chain, including local churches, schools and the local Coop store but to date we have no surplus food arrangement with any retailer. -Monetary donations are collected through direct debit donations and through a Community Hub Just Giving site. This money enables us to "go shopping" each month to supplement the physical donations we receive. - After one year of operation we have seen growing awareness and use of the facility and demand continues to outstrip supply so we desperately need a strong relationship with a large food retailer to boost our supply chain.