Donations desperately needed at Worthing support group in the run up to Christmas

The hub opened in South Farm Road in April, ​​offering a food pantry, pet pantry, community library and café space to relax and meet others.

Membership has grown to 224 and the hub is now spending around £1,000 a week on groceries, so regular donations have become essential.

Lindsay Scott, director, said: "We are providing food support for the whole of Worthing. There are two models, the foodbank for people who have absolutely nothing and the food pantry, which is a step up, for those who suffer from food insecurity.

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"People who are struggling to manage can become a member and purchase 10 items for £5 once a week. We try to make it look like a shop, so it is like a regular shopping experience.

"We are supporting a lot of people. The social side is just as important, because people have got to know us and they come in for a coffee and chat."

The hub is partly supported by grants but with high monthly food bills, volunteers are working hard to raise as much money as possible. They are also grateful to supporters who take in bags of food for the pantry.

Co-founder Margaret Howard, Worthing borough councillor for Broadwater, said: "On top of food we also provide school uniforms and helped more than 200 children in September. We have also got listening volunteers and I think that makes a difference."

Margaret and retired midwife Pat Schan started the project in March 2020 by supporting people through the Covid lockdown and it had long been their dream to open a community hub.

Margaret said: "We would really like some non-perishable Christmas food, like puddings and stuffing. We have been able to offer advent calendars, too."

The hub is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm, and at variable times on Saturday. See Broadwater Support Group & Community Hub on Facebook or visit broadwatersupportgroup.wordpress.com for more information.

Fundraising dates coming up include the Merry Christmas Market at The Highdown today from 4pm to 8pm and the Alternative Christmas Market at New Amsterdam, High Street, Worthing, on Sunday, December 17, from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Linday will be running a tombola with lots of great prizes.

Linday said: "Our mission at Broadwater Support Group and Community Hub is to directly help the local residents who suffer from food insecurity. We know it's a challenging time for everyone at the moment and that sometimes the essentials in life like food can take a back seat when you're struggling financially with ever-increasing household and food bills.

"Additionally, we are able to offer a pet pantry to help pet owners finding it hard to pay for pet food during these difficult times. We know some owners would rather go without eating themselves.

"The hub not only provides a food and pet pantry, it is also a community space where you are welcome to just come and visit, have a cup of tea, borrow a book, attend a workshop or just come for a chat with our amazing group of volunteers."

Donations of tinned and non-perishable food items, cleaning products, bathroom products and toothpaste are welcome at 32 South Farm Road, Worthing. Financial donations are also gratefully received, by cash or card.