Argos Apsley Mills (Inside Sainsbury's)

We are a newly established Community Interest Company (CIC) based in St Albans, dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals and families in our local area. Our mission is to bridge the gap in access to essential resources—starting with food support for those facing hardship. Our first initiative focuses on collecting surplus food from local supermarkets and distributing it directly to individuals and families in need. Many of the people we support are unable to access traditional food banks due to barriers such as limited transport, mobility issues, or personal circumstances. By offering same-day distribution—without the need for storage—we provide immediate and fresh relief while also reducing food waste. If donations are received daily, we will operate daily to match the need. All food is distributed completely free of charge. In recent weeks, through outreach and conversations with residents and local contacts, we have identified a significant number of families struggling to access existing services. We aim to fill that gap by offering accessible, responsive, and dignified support. Service users are identified via community outreach, word of mouth, and self-referral. As we grow, we hope to work with schools, health visitors, and local partners to reach those who may not be visible through traditional support networks. We are seeking support from Neighbourly in the form of surplus food collections. This will enable us to directly support families and individuals experiencing food insecurity, while also helping to reduce waste and strengthen our community impact. This is our first branch of support, but our team brings valuable experience from working with other charities and community projects. We are committed to collaboration and will continue to work alongside local and national organisations as our CIC develops. Our long-term vision is to grow beyond food support and address broader needs in the St Albans community. Planned future initiatives include: A community garden – providing access to fresh produce, promoting sustainable living, and creating a welcoming green space for residents to learn and connect. Youth-focused programmes – including sports-based classes and mentoring schemes that support mental and physical wellbeing, promote positive choices, and help young people build confidence and skills. All of our work is carried out in loving memory of a close family friend whose life embodied compassion, kindness, and community spirit. Their legacy inspires our commitment to serve, uplift, and build stronger local connections. We believe that community is built through connection, compassion, and action—and we are determined to deliver meaningful, inclusive support where it is needed most.