A local community shop, takeaway, and meals-on-wheels service is set to continue supporting residents across Newton Aycliffe, Shildon, and Bishop Auckland.
Shildon Alive, a local community group has been given a £5,000 Community Regeneration Grant to fund activities and volunteer training to enable its ‘take what you need, donate what you can' shop, takeaway, and meals-on-wheels service to continue.
The community group provides a vital lifeline supporting over 1,100 people in the past year, offering a fully stocked community shop, and takeaway using food from local supermarkets that would otherwise go to landfills. Members of the community can fill their basket with a wide range of products, and donate whatever they are able to in return, which contributes to further funding its charitable work.
The takeaway operates a meals-on-wheels service where residents can have a three-course meal delivered to their' doors for just £5.50.
Further funding from the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership has also been awarded.
Malcolm Gray, Community Investment Manager said: "This is an excellent project with so many benefits, not only for those receiving the support but also for those delivering. Shildon Alive is a brilliant supportive partner who is always striving to improve the financial, health, and social well-being of others."
Paula Nelson, Shildon Alive Project Manager said: "The partners we deliver to in Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe, have described the project as a vital lifeline, feeding hundreds of individuals and families living in food poverty. They also now share other food items they may have too much of with each other, which is a major development as it also means less food waste. This avoids duplication but also means the help and support are getting directly to the families who really need it".
Pictured left to right, Marie Kirkbride (Shildon Alive Lead Cook), Malcolm Gray (Community Investment Manager), Marcia Whitfield (Volunteer and Livin Tenant) and Paula Nelson (Shildon Alive Project Manager)
For more information about Shildon Alive see www.shildonalive.org.uk
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