Community larder opens in Downton Baptist Church
Reverend welcomes anyone to use it because "we're all feeling the pinch"
Last updated 9th Nov 2022
A community larder has opened up at the Downton Baptist Church to help people cope with the rising cost of living.
People in the community can show up and take any items available, including food, household and hygiene products.
Reverend Katy Ullyatt says that anyone is welcome to use it:
"I want to reassure people that when they come in there is no judgement, there's no one looking down on you, because we're all feeling the pinch at the moment.
"Anyone can come, it doesn't matter who you are. No one will ask why you're there; you can come and take items of food with you.
People can also drop off items for the larder that they wish to donate, but they're asked not to donate fridge items.
Local schools, supermarkets and volunteers have come together to make the larder a reality, through church and school harvests, and collaboration with the local Co-op.
Rev. Katy says it's also a solution to food waste:
"We have a box in the Co-op where people, when they're doing their shopping, can pop food items into the box there.
"We're also having some of Co-op's food waste that would have gone into landfill, it's now coming to us. And we're working with other local businesses, hopefully it's something that will grow.
"So many of us throw things a way, and supermarkets have to throw quite a lot of food away too. This way we can share some of that food, good food, with our community, and make it available for those who need it."
Opening hours
The community larder is open from 9am to 10am on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and then again from 6pm to 7pm on Thursdays only.
They're hoping to increase their opening hours soon, once they have more volunteers on hand to help run it.
For more information about how to use the larder, how to donate or for information on how to volunteer, visit the Downton Baptist Church's website.