The main aim of Lowestoft Community Fridge is to reduce food waste but the fridge also makes a difference to families living in food poverty by providing fresh produce.
The Revd Damon Rogers, Vicar of Saint Andrews, said:
“We are really proud that our church was the first community fridge in Suffolk. The fridge offers two community benefits; reducing food waste going to landfill and helping to feed people living in great need. The fridge is open to anyone in the community but we have found that everyone who comes is experiencing food poverty. Our partner supermarkets kindly provide us with their end of shelf-life food, which is great quality and fresh! As Christians we know that Jesus met people’s practical needs as well as their spiritual needs and as a church we see Community Fridge as a way of living out our call to serve the wider community. The Bible reminds us that God’s desire is to meet all human needs, and the Community Fridge is just part of God’s blessings.”
Gabby Robinson, one of the Community Fridge volunteers, said:
“As part of my community work it is great to connect people to the Community Fridge because they can get food, which they need, and make connections and build friendships.”
The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Countess Euston, commented on the valuable work that is being done in the community and particularly commended the role of the team from Community Action Suffolk in facilitating community activities such as the Community Fridge.
Lowestoft Community Fridge was set up with the help of Community Action Suffolk and the support of the Hubbub Charity and is operated by volunteers from Saint Andrews Church and the Roman Hill community. The Community Fridge has recently formed a new partnership and increased opening times, details are available at the church’s Facebook page.
