Second Helpings Stamford volunteer meets with Bourne Town Council to discuss expanding into the town
A scheme which has saved 100 tonnes of food from going to landfill could be set for expansion.
Second Helpings Stamford collects food which is destined for the bin and distributes it to the public on a pay-as-you-feel basis.
The project hosts a weekly café and also runs a community fridge where people can pick up the leftover food in return for a voluntary donation.
The scheme has proved to be so successful that Bourne Town Council is taking steps to set up a similar scheme in the town.
Second Helpings Stamford volunteer Keith Busfield gave a presentation to the council last week.
He said: “Second Helpings has grown and grown in the last four years.
“We’re discussing the viability of growing into a new location but we would need a venue, volunteers and a source of food.
“I’m positive it would gather support in Bourne but for Second Helpings to launch there it really needs key volunteers to set up a new organisation with our guidance.”
The Saturday café in Stamford feeds about 100 people each week and more than 200 people a week visit ‘the bunker’ food store room and community fridge.
The project’s objective is to “feed bellies not bins” so everyone is welcome regardless of their ability to pay.
Keith added: “Every mouth fed results in less landfill.”
Bourne town clerk Ian Sismey said it’s early days but he hopes the council can start look at the idea in more detail.
He said: “I’m sure there is as big a need in Bourne for something like this as there is in Stamford.
“We invited Second Helpings to the meeting with a view to finding out how the scheme was set up in Stamford. The members were very interested and I’m sure we will progress it.
“The next step is to see if there is any synergy with other organisations which might be able to provide a venue.”
To get in touch email pr@secondhelpings.org.uk
