Littlehampton Community Fridge changes the way it works in response to coronavirus

Volunteers at Littlehampton Community Fridge have successfully changed the way it works, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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The project has been moved from Littlehampton Library to St James the Great Church hall, in East Ham Road, and instead of the usual pick-up option, it is now running a delivery service, working with Citzens Advice to get more than 100 food parcels a week to those who need them most.

Hannah Millard, volunteer co-ordinator, said: “We normally have a team of volunteers within Littlehampton Library, however, since the library closed, we have had to relocate. This has also seen us change the way we are operating, to adapt to meet the needs of the community.

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“We have an amazing team of volunteers who collect surplus food from various places and then create food parcels, which are then delivered to those in need within our community.”

Packing food parcels at St James the Great Church hallPacking food parcels at St James the Great Church hall
Packing food parcels at St James the Great Church hall

Since the initial trials in July last year, followed by the official opening in October, the project has grown from one fridge-freezer in the library to five fridges and four freezers.

Volunteers have been able to provide around 700 parcels since the UK government’s lockdown restrictions came into force on March 23.

Sarah Renfrey, founder, said: “I’m so grateful to have such an amazing volunteer team, it is thanks to their enthusiasm and genuine dedication to the ever-evolving project. I am so humbled by how much we have achieved in the past ten months.

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“Whilst there are support mechanisms in place for those in crisis and the most vulnerable in the community, there are also many other people who are struggling for various reasons to access food, and we are happy to provide what we can to those who need it.”

An example of a food parcel provided by Littlehampton Community FridgeAn example of a food parcel provided by Littlehampton Community Fridge
An example of a food parcel provided by Littlehampton Community Fridge

The fridge has saved more than 17 tonnes of good food from going to landfill, the equivalent of more than 40,000 meals, and has prevented around 72 tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.

Sarah said: “There has been an amazing response to the community from various groups and charities, and we are pleased that we can still play our part by still saving good food from being wasted, and help get it to people who need it.

“We are working on a referral basis on Mondays and Fridays, with agencies such as Citizens Advice and other local groups, and when we have more perishable food than we have referrals on a particular day, we do open our phoneline for a chance for an excess food parcel on our Facebook page to make sure that food that needs to be used isn’t wasted, which is very important to us.

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“We are so thankful for our regular surplus food donations from UK Harvest and Fareshare Sussex, and our busy volunteers who collect regularly from various supermarkets. Also big thanks to other local food businesses, who have donated food. Please get in touch if you are a business who may have excess food which we may be able to use.”

Volunteer delivery driversVolunteer delivery drivers
Volunteer delivery drivers

Fresh rescued food parcels are delivered to those who are struggling in the Littlehampton and surrounding areas.

One family with vulnerable children who need to self-isolate for 12 weeks said the service had been ‘amazing’, saving them from having to go out too often.

Recently, the fridge has seen a huge increase in donations of bread and pastries from supermarkets, so volunteers have been doing pop-up bread stalls in the town centre, to help stop the food being wasted.

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Sarah said: “We are also hoping that in the coming months, with many more people growing their own fruit and vegetables, that they will be able to collect surplus allotment produce to make available to those who need it.”

Littlehampton Community Fridge is unable to take cash but donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/littlehampton-community-fridge

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