Lidl Ipswich - Anglia Retail Park

A group of Churches uniting to alleviate food poverty by operating "Top Up" Shops from various Churches in Ipswich through redistribution of surplus food and non food items. Also creating an access point for people to use the services of outside agencies such as debt advice, healthy living, and general wellbeing.

We feed people food and hope, one parcel at a time. We are a community-focused organisation supporting local people and families experiencing financial hardship, crisis or unexpected circumstances. Our support is available across the stages of life, from pre-birth and new parents through to older people, with support tailored to individual and household needs. We redistribute good-quality surplus food to people who need it, helping to reduce food waste while providing practical support to households experiencing food insecurity. We also distribute baby essentials, nursery items, children's items and small household items and furniture to people and families who need them. Our support is particularly important for people who have had to leave their homes in difficult circumstances, including those fleeing domestic abuse, as well as individuals and families affected by emergencies such as house fires or other unexpected events where essential belongings may have been lost. Where possible, we provide practical, physical help alongside donated items. This can include helping people access and move essential items, preparing and delivering support, and assisting with the practical challenges that arise when someone is rebuilding their home and life following a crisis. We identify people who may benefit from support through community connections, referrals, direct contact and local networks. We aim to respond to genuine need with dignity, compassion and without judgement. Where appropriate, we also signpost people to other relevant services and sources of support. Our services and donated goods are provided free of charge to people receiving support. Our work is supported by volunteers, community partnerships and donations. By connecting surplus resources with people who need them, we aim to reduce waste, alleviate hardship and strengthen our local community. We believe that support is about more than putting food on a table. It is about helping people feel seen, supported and able to move forward, one parcel and one act of practical help at a time.

Mission Ipswich East is a parish in an area of Ipswich which doesn't generally have high levels of deprivation. However, during the Covid crisis of 2020 we became aware that many people living in the area were struggling financially. Often they had enjoyed a reasonable standard of living but due to furlough and job loss many were experiencing high levels of food poverty. We set up a food shop in the Church building in December 2020. Customers can come along on a Wednesday afternoon and access good quality food. They don't have to prove need or be referred. They pay £2 and go home with a bag of food. Most of our supplies come from Fareshare but we welcome other donations of food, cleaning items, toiletries and treats. We thought that our role would end when covid finished but the Cost of Living crisis has increased need. We regularly see 70-100 individual customers each week. They represent over 200 family members. After people have bought their bag of shopping they are invited to stay for a few cup of tea or coffee with biscuits or cake. This gives us a chance to chat to them and discover other problems. We are then able to support them and sign post them to other groups and agencies. We have a direct link with Citizens Advice who attend one a month. The shop is staffed and run entirely by volunteers. We cover all our costs from the £2 payments and any profits will be ploughed back into the shop or used to support our customers in other ways. The Church administrates the money involved but it is kept totally separate.