Nourish - FREE meals for our vulnerable Community
Donation protected
My name is Karen and I started a Community Project in Axminster early 2019 called NOURISH(Axminster).
Its unprecedented times with COVID-19 spreading throughout the world and it is most definitely now Nourish, along with the fabulous local community groups pulling together as a whole, needs to step up and support everyone. Its vital that we make sure noone is going without, despite the devastating effect panic buying is having on the vulnerable. People are going without the necessary. Many business's are trying so hard to keep afloat by offering deliveries and takeaways, which is great but only if you have enough money to survive like this.
I will be doing door step deliveries of frozen ready meals, free to absolutely anyone who is struggling. I have had to make some changes to do this and this means sourcing ingredients away from supermarkets and scale up volume which means its going to cost a little bit more financially.
I appreciate that times are going to be hard for many of us but if you could spare a little to help fight the great fight, then I thank you from the bottom my heart - please, stay safe, stay well and together with care, we can get through this.
This is my story should you care to read on :)
I used to work many years ago as a cook and learned so much from my late mum but illness struck and I lost my confidence. Only through volunteering and thanks to the patience of Monkton Wyld Court and to Halff in Axminster in very recent years did I gain my confidence back in a professional kitchen environment.
I myself know what its like to live on the breadline and have watched in horror what the impact of Welfare Reform has done to people in our community and beyond. With benefit sanctions being handed out almost at the drop of a hat, the bedroom tax, disability benefits now even harder to access and Universal Credit people are really struggling. Here in Axminster we have one or two avenues in which to source out food to help us get by when times are hard. Our Food Bank is a wonderful and much needed resource which distributes non perishable foods such as dried rice/pasta, tins and processed foods and other necessities. Once apon a time the need for a food bank would have been a short stop gap, but now, for some, its a weekly ocurrance.
The impact of this continual type of diet not only has an effect on our physical well being (more so if suffering a health issue or illness) but on our mental well being too and then, that spiral of isolation, hopelessness and depression can begin.
Nourish insists each meal must have at least two vegetable components not including onions or potatoes. We cook in bulk and freeze meals in portions and distribute for those to store/cook at home.
We have been surviving on cash donations (and some food donations) given personally by hand by the kind people of Axminster (and even some who dont even live here!!) and its those important donations that allow us to cook meals full of nourishment to compliment the already existing food bank facilities in the town. It is hoped that our meals are a nutritional break without the thought of having to cook. A little bit of love to try to ease people through some really hard and dark times.
Nourish is also putting into plan how to ease "holiday hunger" when the schools finish for the summer holidays. Many parents rely on that free school meal in term time to ease the grocery bills and sadly sometimes that is the only meal some children may get.
Any money raised or donated to Nourish will go towards mostly fresh ingredients for our meals. There are some other necessary costs, like the containers and admin materials and occasionally some rent/hire costs.
Incidently, if you are a local grower or allotment user.. please think of us when you have an abundant crop of vegetables and fruits :)
Nourish is working in Axminster and has been met with such positivity and your donation is very very much appreciated.
We are only ever two pay days away from being on the brink..
Thank you
Karen
Its unprecedented times with COVID-19 spreading throughout the world and it is most definitely now Nourish, along with the fabulous local community groups pulling together as a whole, needs to step up and support everyone. Its vital that we make sure noone is going without, despite the devastating effect panic buying is having on the vulnerable. People are going without the necessary. Many business's are trying so hard to keep afloat by offering deliveries and takeaways, which is great but only if you have enough money to survive like this.
I will be doing door step deliveries of frozen ready meals, free to absolutely anyone who is struggling. I have had to make some changes to do this and this means sourcing ingredients away from supermarkets and scale up volume which means its going to cost a little bit more financially.
I appreciate that times are going to be hard for many of us but if you could spare a little to help fight the great fight, then I thank you from the bottom my heart - please, stay safe, stay well and together with care, we can get through this.
This is my story should you care to read on :)
I used to work many years ago as a cook and learned so much from my late mum but illness struck and I lost my confidence. Only through volunteering and thanks to the patience of Monkton Wyld Court and to Halff in Axminster in very recent years did I gain my confidence back in a professional kitchen environment.
I myself know what its like to live on the breadline and have watched in horror what the impact of Welfare Reform has done to people in our community and beyond. With benefit sanctions being handed out almost at the drop of a hat, the bedroom tax, disability benefits now even harder to access and Universal Credit people are really struggling. Here in Axminster we have one or two avenues in which to source out food to help us get by when times are hard. Our Food Bank is a wonderful and much needed resource which distributes non perishable foods such as dried rice/pasta, tins and processed foods and other necessities. Once apon a time the need for a food bank would have been a short stop gap, but now, for some, its a weekly ocurrance.
The impact of this continual type of diet not only has an effect on our physical well being (more so if suffering a health issue or illness) but on our mental well being too and then, that spiral of isolation, hopelessness and depression can begin.
Nourish insists each meal must have at least two vegetable components not including onions or potatoes. We cook in bulk and freeze meals in portions and distribute for those to store/cook at home.
We have been surviving on cash donations (and some food donations) given personally by hand by the kind people of Axminster (and even some who dont even live here!!) and its those important donations that allow us to cook meals full of nourishment to compliment the already existing food bank facilities in the town. It is hoped that our meals are a nutritional break without the thought of having to cook. A little bit of love to try to ease people through some really hard and dark times.
Nourish is also putting into plan how to ease "holiday hunger" when the schools finish for the summer holidays. Many parents rely on that free school meal in term time to ease the grocery bills and sadly sometimes that is the only meal some children may get.
Any money raised or donated to Nourish will go towards mostly fresh ingredients for our meals. There are some other necessary costs, like the containers and admin materials and occasionally some rent/hire costs.
Incidently, if you are a local grower or allotment user.. please think of us when you have an abundant crop of vegetables and fruits :)
Nourish is working in Axminster and has been met with such positivity and your donation is very very much appreciated.
We are only ever two pay days away from being on the brink..
Thank you
Karen
Organizer
Karen Taylor
Organizer
England