An Update for Newington

The Food Club is open to anyone in Newington at a charge of £5. This includes a bag of groceries, a bag of fruit and veg and a bag of meat products.

After the food bags were all distributed on Christmas Eve, the food club then had a call from Waitrose to say they were coming with a van of fruit and veg. All the volunteers and Cara stayed behind to unpack and to put out the packs for the next opening.

Any food left over will be put on tables in the foyer for anyone to come and collect free of charge. There was veg, eggs, herbs and bread products left, but it does vary as to what is left over.

Newington is so very grateful for the support of local supermarkets and Fareshare for supplying surplus food, this was very welcome and helped a lot. Fareshare had a page for publicity, using Cara in the Times Newspaper.

The local Kent County Councillor, Karen Constantine, very generously gave £6,000 from her allowance to feed hungry people. Newington has to buy food from Fareshare and other outlets and has to continually strive to maintain a good supply of food for people in need.

An award winning Chef, Mike, helps by cooking food to put into the Food Bags.

During the school holidays Mike borrowed a food van, he cooked and gave away over 300 hot meals for children to take home, this included fruit and a drink.

People using the Food Club have said that they feel it is better than using the food banks, as it does not feel like charity because they pay money for the food used.

This was a trial run and was so well accepted that it is hoped to do it during other school holidays.

It is hoped as the weather gets better we will be able to work on The Copse, to make it a place of wonder for young children from local schools. The Copse will be having planting sessions, sessions on how to make a Bug Hotel and how to care for the wildlife. These will all be supervised by adults.

Written by:
Councillor Pat Moore
Newington Ward