A church-run community project in Fraserburgh has teamed up with Tesco and charity FareShare to receive food donations to provide for families and individuals in need within the area.
Central Church Fraserburgh is a vital community hub, which provides food items for around 70 people each week. The group receive donations from their local Tesco store through the Tesco Community Food Connection (CFC), a scheme that is on hand to help support the local area.
The church’s foodbank prides themselves with offering a dignified, judgement-free experience for those in need. They maintain a well-organised larder where people can select the items they take home – making the experience feel more like an average trip to the supermarket.
Jaime Watt, a volunteer at the Central Church Fraserburgh food bank, said: “Helping the local community is our passion, and we have spent years developing supportive relationships for those in crisis. Through opening our foodbank, we quickly recognised that food insecurity is just one challenge that people face – many also struggle with loneliness and social isolation.
“Foodbanks often serve the most marginalised in our communities, and we wanted to create a space where people could feel truly seen and supported. Those who have the courage to visit us will always find a warm welcome inside, and a key part of our work here within the hub is made possible by Tesco’s generous donations.”
The church also runs a community café, where once a week they offer a complimentary two-course hot meal along with drinks and sweet treats, also supported by donations from Tesco.
The Community Food Connection scheme ensures that surplus food from Tesco doesn’t go to waste and is instead provided to charities and community groups, whose volunteer members then distribute it to the public.
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities and Media at Tesco, said: “Working with community groups such as Central Church Fraserburgh, to help them get the food and supplies they need is such an important service for us to provide. The dedication they have to their local community is amazing, and we are pleased to do what we can to support.
“We firmly believe no good food should go to waste, which is why we began our Community Food Connection scheme. It enables us to ensure our surplus food is put to good use in communities.”
FareShare is the UK’s leading food redistribution charity. FareShare’s charity partners do more than just feed people, they provide other vital services such as mental health support or childcare. 75% of charities FareShare supports report improved physical and mental health in people using their food service.
Katie Sadler, Head of FareShare Go, said: The food that Tesco redistributes through FareShare is a lifeline for thousands of charities nationwide, enabling them to feed countless individuals within their communities. This consistent food supply empowers charities to not only provide essential meals but also to sustain vital support services for local people.”
Charities and community groups that could benefit from the support of the Community Food Connection scheme can find further information at https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/.
