'10 Minute Tip' by Steve Hallett and Debbie Fletcher from Water Eaton Community Larder
Water Eaton Community Larder (WECL) was founded in September 2020, to provide essential support, foster community, and combat food waste.
It began when the Covid Emergency Food Box Program for those in the local community who were struggling with food poverty had to end.
WECL then worked with SOFEA to replace the box scheme with a Community Larder membership model. The model works by SOFEA coordinating surplus food from supermarkets and distributing through the larder for a small charge to cover costs of pickup and delivery.
This model reduces food waste, helps people save money and provides sustainable access to healthy food.Membership is open to everyone and for £3.50 (individual) or £7 (family) a week they can pick up 20 items of ambient food, fruit & veg, chilled items and extras that we supplement with donations from different retailers within Milton Keynes. The members’ shop would equate to around £20 - £30 respectively, if purchased in the shops.
WECL has grown steadily mainly due to the ongoing economic strain being placed on much of society. They now have a membership of 161.
WECL has opened a Community Café. This runs an hour before the Larder where they serve free tea, coffee, and a basic lunch, creating a space for people to meet and chat.
WECL invites organisations to the Café to speak about services and to signpost members to access the support they need. They have two part-time Larder Managers and 20 volunteers who run the Larder and the Café.
Water Eaton Community Larder would love to work with any local business that is looking to increase their social responsibility commitments. Are you looking for opportunities to partner with a local charity and have a greater impact on your local community.Would your organisation like to make Water Eaton Community Larder your Charity of the Year?
Would you be able to offer regular monthly donations yourself or from your businesses? This would be used to purchase food to supplement donations and provide discretionary funding for families who need short-term support to access the Larder.
Do you know any local food businesses or manufacturers who would be willing to partner with Water Eaton Community Larder by supplying food?
Perhaps your organisation would like to join their Corporate volunteering days? Partner with Water Eaton Community Larder to reduce food waste and end food poverty in Milton Keynes.We'd like to credit Matthew Kitchen, Chris Gascoigne & Rachel Glass who are Photography Students at MK College for taking the pictures. Thank you!
About the conversation:
Improve your organisation by having a greater impact on your local community
Charity begins at home. Your home is your local community. Local business should help their local community through local charities.
Debbie Fletcher and Steve Hallet from the Water Eaton Community Larder will share several great business reasons for helping your local community this Friday morning 14th July at 7am
1) Building your brand identity.
The charitable initiatives of your company should be an integral part of your brand, positioning yourself as reliable and ethical. The charities you support can also differentiate you from the competition, further supporting your brand image and making you stand out to potential job applicants. The charities you support defines who you are as a business.
2) Boosting your team's morale.
Employees seeing that their organisation supports local charitable causes increases their positivity. They'll feel proud to work for a philanthropic organisation which will also increase employee loyalty and retention.
3) Increase your visibility.
Having a visible charitable presence in your local community will increase the number of local people who know about you and raise your profile as a good organisation..
Sponsoring your local Community Larder will introduce your brand to new audiences. Donating time, money or resources will boost your company’s visibility. It’s a great opportunity for business networking too.
4) Better public relations.
Sharing your stories of sponsorships, charitable events and donations will benefit your company in several positive ways. You'll attract media coverage letting local people know what you’re doing to help your local community. Your employees will feel that they’ve made a really good choice to work for you.
Charity stories on your website let visitors know that you're a force for good in your local community. They show clients that your organisation is committed to local charitable causes.
Successful relationships with local charities will positively impact your organisation’s reputation.
We'd like to credit Matthew Kitchen, Chris Gascoigne & Rachel Glass who are Photography Students at MK College for taking the pictures. Thank you!
