Since April this year the community foodbank in Sunbury has received over 8.6 tons to surplus food for distribution, the equivalent to nearly 20,000 meals!!! This has enabled them to feed over 3000 people who may not otherwise have had access to a good meal, and has saved a huge amount of waste. This autumn they put some of it to use for a fund raising supper which proved a great success.
The aim was to raise funds and offer a unique dining experience to guests and they managed both with aplomb. Using only surplus food from Tesco’s Sunbury, gourmet chef Thomas Mountford from Janie’s Private Catering served 78 people, and raised over £8,400 in total.
Sunbury Cricket Club was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the surplus food donated provided diners with a variety of canapés, followed by a red pepper, tomato and basil soup, lamb pastry roll with carrot puree, potatoes and jus, finishing with bread and butter pudding.
Thomas Mountford said, “It shows what it is possible to make from surplus food and that creative cooking be achieved without having to use expensive ingredients.”
The event was deemed a huge success and there are plans to run it again next year. As well as the meal, guests were treated to entertainment and a raffle.
The arrival of Christmas is always welcome to most of us, but for some, it is a time of anxiety and cost.
To combat this, on Friday 8th December between 5.30-8.30pm St. Saviour’s Community Foodbank initiative will be holding a Christmas Market. All proceeds will go towards the Community Activities Programme at St Saviour’s. Can you help?
They are also looking to assemble Gift donations for distribution to local families to open on Christmas Day morning.
All suitable presents (unwrapped please) will be welcome. Toys for children of all ages, and not forgetting the parents!
The need is genuine, and can bring warmth and cheer to those in need. Please give your support and generosity and help us to help others.
Distribution will be on the 14th December.