Take what you need, Give if you can
This is a great initiative set up by a UCC parent – initially to reduce food waste in the community, but now so important to those struggling under the current circumstances.
On Carleton Hall Walk, Penrith, there is a “Give & Take Box” scheme that gives free access to donated food, to anyone who wants it, which might have gone to waste otherwise. It is available any time of the day or night, and there are no questions or forms required to access it.
The box is currently a very stylish plastic greenhouse (secured to a tree) and often contains a variety of shelf stable goods that have been dropped off by members of the community. Started in November 2019 by a local family who wanted to stop particular items in their Salvation Army Food Parcel from going to waste (as the families diet wouldn’t allow them to be eaten) they set up a box outside with a handmade sign, and started sharing the idea on social media.
With the huge and unexpected difficulties facing everyone thanks to the Coronavirus, the box has seen a great deal of activity since it began. Both in the wide variety of donations being dropped off (including nappies and baby milk at one point) to reaching out to a number of people who might benefit from a little extra help, but don’t necessarily qualify for government support. Not everyone is officially entitled to, or able to access help from local authorities, and this scheme was planned with those people in mind. Such as young carers, lone parents, unsociable hours workers and those shielding as just some examples. As the box is outside and unstaffed, there are no questions to answer, people to interact with or shame to be felt.