Bristol residents raise £54k for Coexist Community Kitchen

The kitchen provides about 150 meals a week for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity

City residents have helped raise more than £54,000 for a charity that supports those in need.

The Coexist Community Kitchen (CCK), in Bristol, provides cooking classes, free meals and a community space.

It set up a fundraiser after saying demand for its services had "surged", with one in 28 households in the city facing severe food insecurity.

Founder Ari Cantwell said the charity was "humbled and overwhelmed" by the generosity of people who donated.

The non-profit organisation runs outreach cooking classes in conjunction with drug and alcohol services, refugee and asylum seeker groups and mental health organisations.

It also provides about 150 meals each Wednesday for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, using ingredients donated to food banks.

The charity says it hopes to expand its services with the new funds

"During difficult times the kitchen has been a lifeline," said volunteer Annie, who first connected with the charity five years ago after joining their mental health support group.

"Through the premise that food is a vehicle to bring people together there is an environment of support, sharing and learning in the kitchen," Annie continued.

"It becomes a second home," she added.

The money was raised by local people with match funding from the Access Cost of Living Resilience Fund, quadrupling every donation, and a £10,000 contribution from the Sovereign Network Group Thriving Communities Fund.

"Their support has allowed us to not only reach our fundraising target, but exceed it," said Ms Cantwell.

The initial target was £50,000 but the charity has now extended it to £60,000.

Ms Cantwell added: "With these funds, we will be able to expand our programmes, improve equity of access and create even greater impact across Bristol."

The fundraising appeal is running until 14 December.