Food charity closes in on £30k appeal target

Havens Food Cooperative launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £30,000 to keep itself afloat

An appeal to save a food co-operative in East Sussex from closure has prompted one donor to offer half of the £30,000 the charity is appealing for.

Havens Food Cooperative, in Newhaven announced last week it would close on 25 March due to lack of funding.

The charity launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise £30,000 and so far the charity has raised £12,000. One donor has offered £15,000 if the appeal matches that amount.

Paula Woolven, founder of the co-operative, said the public's support had been "heart-warming and humbling".

"I can't thank everyone enough for rallying to try and save us at the eleventh hour," she added.

Havens Food Cooperative volunteers collect more than three tonnes of food each month and help more than 60 households a day

The charity collects over-produced, mislabelled and "wonky" food from 19 supermarkets from the Brighton and Eastbourne areas and supplies them to food banks, schools, families, individuals, pop-up pantries and community groups.

It was founded in 2020 and Ms Woolven and 50 volunteers collect more than three tonnes of food each month, helping more than 60 households a day.

Anne Clark, managing director of MCL Transport Consultants in Seaford, has made the largest single donation so far, £5,000.

She said: "We should do everything to save a local project that does a marvellous, unique job collecting perishable supermarket food.

"I hope others can help save this very worthwhile cause."

Mark Boxall, of Shoreline Accounts in Seaford, contributed £500.

He said: "I'd love to volunteer for this fantastic community service, but because of my time constraints, I'm happy to donate instead to try and help.

"I hope they raise enough to continue to help hundreds of people through family support and the other groups and food banks they partner with."