Community food charity closes despite strong demand

The Reverend Giles Knight said the community fridge has become "unsustainable" to run

A food charity says it has had to close not because of a "lack of demand" but because keeping it going had become "unsustainable".

The Millfield Community Fridge based has been operating for six years at the Open Door Baptist Church in Peterborough.

The Reverend Giles Knight from the Open Door Baptist Church said at times the group were giving between two and three tonnes of food for 200 people four days a week.

"We've done what we can and at the moment we could do no more," Mr Knight said.

The community fridge gives out bread, fresh fruit and vegetables and hot meals using donations from supermarkets, businesses and individuals.

Mr Knight, of the Open Door Baptist Church, said deciding to close the service had been "tremendously difficult".

"At the end of March we closed our doors - it wasn't a lack of demand," he said.

"My wife, who has run it for the last six years, is taking a well-earned rest.

"She has worked long hours - 50 to 60 hours a week on a voluntary basis - [and] we've done our best to provide between two and three tonnes of food for 200 people a day, four days a week."

'Do no more'

However, Mr Knight said running the project had become "unsustainable".

"Hopefully some other people will pass the baton on.

"We've done what we can and at the moment we could do no more."

Whilst the Community Fridge is now closed, the church will open their doors to provide people with a safe, warm space and refreshments.