Community Meal Service
The Pitch
Problem statement
To be able to continue to operate our vital daily meal service, supporting the most vulnerable senior citizens in our local community and surrounding villages, many of whom have dementia and/or mobility issues, mental health issues, are living alone and socially isolated. Our kitchen team currently prepares, cooks, packages and send out over 200 nutritionally balanced meals and puddings every week. These are delivered by our dedicated team of volunteer drivers, who are just as vital as the food they are bringing. For some, our drivers are the only faces that our clients will see in a day, helping to relieve loneliness as well as carrying out important welfare checks.
Solution
To be able to continue to provide our service which costs nearly £8,500 a month. The recent increase in food and fuel costs is affecting us all. Up to £3,000 of funding would help cover the cost of our volunteer mileage, ingredients and packaging, allowing us to provide the vital support that our clients need. This also ripples out to their families, some who are far away. Thanks to our welfare checks, we speak with them regularly, updating them on how their loved one is and if there is anything that needs to be done - this has included practical issues such as a leaking boiler through to physical wellbeing
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We have been operating our Community Meal Service since 2016 and have a dedicated team made up of six passionate kitchen/ admin members and over 20 volunteer drivers. We have an 5 star food hygiene rating and are highly regarded by our clients as well as their families. Recent testimonials include, "Could I take this opportunity to thank everyone in your organisation for providing this wonderful service. It is very comforting to know that Audrey does get a hot meal at lunchtimes and it is helping Audrey continue to live in her own home, which is her greatest wish." We all care deeply and are passionate about the support and difference we can make to those that need us.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Meal Ingredients | £1,600 |
| Meal Packaging/ Containers | £1,000 |
| Volunteer Mileage Costs | £400 |
Beneficiaries
1,236 people
Expected impact
As previously mentioned, any funding will allow us to continue to operate our Community Meal Service for up to three months, supporting the most vulnerable senior citizens in the community many of whom have dementia and/or mobility issues, mental health issues, are living alone and socially isolated.