Totton: Surplus food charity Fareshare seeks volunteers

FareShare says it needs more volunteers like Karen Boog

A charity that directs surplus food to people in need has said it needs more volunteers to expand its work.

FareShare in Totton delivers foods to community groups and charities in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon and West Sussex.

It also offers those struggling with the cost of living the chance to collect extra food and supplies.

But the charity said it could help even more people if it had more volunteer pickers, packers and drivers.

The charity has been helping people since 2014

Much of the surplus food would be thrown away without the charity's intervention.

Supermarket produce that is reaching its sell-by-date or incorrectly labelled is taken by the charity and redistributed it to breakfast clubs, foodbanks, lunch clubs for older people and night shelters.

Jane Owen, community co-ordinator at Fareshare Southern Central said: "We couldn't do this operation without volunteers.

"They do everything, from picking and packing food, to driving the food out to community food members, admin in the office - they do everything, they're amazing.

"We could give so much more food to people if we had more volunteers."

Kelly Price says some people are only just managing

Vans are sent out from the Totton warehouse every day, making 80 deliveries a week.

And those that give their time say they also benefit from helping out.

Volunteer Karen Boog said she enjoyed interacting with the community.

"You meet different people every week and make friends - its not just about the food, it's about interaction too," she added.

Volunteers like Gordon Walker-Love work as pickers, packers and drivers

Kelly Price, project leader of Youth and Families Matter, said the majority of people coming for food were "only just managing".

"The cost of living means everyone is struggling a little bit," she said.

"These are families who don't need foodbanks, but they just need that little bit of extra support."

One FareShare user said she visited every week and, for £5, gets about £30 of food.

"They're really lovely, they also save me nappies which is really helpful," she added.

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