In March 2020 just before the UK went into lockdown a conversation between strangers on WhatsApp snowballed into an emergency Covid food relief scheme that reached thousands across Dorset. The group became known as Dorchester Community Kitchen and, with Christmas fast approaching, has now grown in to something even stronger – Community Share, a space to come together, support and nurture our communities and build links to create access to the things we all need.
Community Share’s current campaign is to provide 170+ Christmas food boxes to vulnerable people across Dorset.
On Monday 23rd November they launched their Reverse Advent Calendar, 21 items to be collected over 21 days to create the basis of the boxes. Working with local food partners, Community Share will top up each box with fresh veg and meat for a Christmas dinner. They say it’s an ambitious target but with support from local communities they can do it.
Community Share have also launched a Just Giving Appeal to raise additional funds to help cover the costs as well as help set them up to continue food box provision in 2021.
They are looking for local residents to complete a box by 14th December. Boxes can be dropped of at the base at The Storehouse Church, Cambridge Rd, Dorchester as well as at local hubs.
Also local businesses across Dorset are being asked to act as drop off hubs so that boxes can be collected across the county. Please email to work out logistics.
If you would like to volunteer you can register on our website.
Related item: Festive Cheer and Community Share from the Storehouse Church, an interview with Pastor Mark Topp from the Storehouse Church
Contact details:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CommunityShareUk
Website: www.community-share.org
Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/community-share
