Tollesbury Village Food Larder

The Village Larder opened up on the 11th July 2022, operating out of the Coffee Point in the Centre. It is supported by the Congregational Church, in partnership with Tollesbury Community Centre and Tollesbury Volunteers.                                The Larder is set discreetly aside from the Cafe where a friendly chat, drinks, can break the ice and anxiety over food provision. Alternatively just select the food of your choice and go. That's fine !

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL USERS OF THE VILLAGE LARDER - CHANGE TO OPENING HOURS !

 New Opening Hours - Mondays 9am to 12pm (During the Village Larder open hours the Drop In Cafe is open).

                                                   - Friday Closed.

                                                   - The changes are listed above from the areas highlighted in yellow below.

                                                  

                                   

Village Larder Information. (Above). Now open Monday 0900-1200, including cafe. Friday Closed. No Cafe Friday.  Also there is no Friendship Cafe this month of January 2025 which restarts February 2025.

The need for this type of free food provision is to provide help to those finding it difficult coping with, high fuel prices, rising interest rates, record food price inflation, rent increases, low wages, involuntary placing many people into difficult financial situations they did not create. Wages and benefits haven't kept pace and some households are getting deeper into debt. The Village Larder is a Tollesbury wide response with many people helping, raising funds, donations of food, good will, as well as manning the larder and cafe.

An appeal was placed in the Parish magazine and to church members who were the first to donate generously to the stock cupboard. Unfortunately, we cannot change any of the negative results of a recessionary economy but we can make life a little easier for some.

                                                                   A Selection of the Items we Provide

 A number of church members have stepped forward to volunteer with food distribution, making cakes, artwork design, social media, and hospitality, making teas, coffee, every time we are open.

We are thankful that the Larder has been able to open relatively quickly and without hindrance or negative Influence, so pray that this will continue.

 We are thankful for the initial support and guidance given to us by the Maldon Pantry (Elim Church). 

The Larder is helping to support families, and several single people. There is no form filling or searching questions.

                                                                  

Come and Browse. Deliveries can be made but we would love you to visit a friendly community and select your own personal choice.

There are distribution points for food in the British Legion, and in the Day Centre, Parish rooms. A number of people also distribute food discreetly to others who do not wish to come to the Centre, or because of mobility issues, are unable to.

Church members have kindly let the Larder stock surplus food items in their sail loft.

A good number of local people are also volunteering and form part of the Larder steering group, working with church folk developing and delivering this initiative.

Alongside food obtained via Morrisons customers, villagers can donate via Fred’s stores, or directly to the Centre.

The Church is handling money donations for the Larder. 

A Village Larder will also be opening up in Tolleshunt D’Arcy and we have been helping them set up. We anticipate that usage of the larder will increase as the ‘cost of living’ crisis bites deeper this winter.

                                                             Come and join us in the Village Larder Cafe

Access to the larder is for those experiencing any of these difficulties and can ask family members or friends to collect on their behalf. The Larder has no referral system. Data id not collected on people, only numbers using the Larder. We will redirect individuals to other supporting agencies if appropriate with consent. Prayer points would be a focus on those families and individuals who are not coming for support – how do we reach them or how do they gain confidence to make the walk through the doors of the Centre.?

Donations of specific items will continually be required.

For further details Call The Food Larder Team: 07742538171 or tollesburyvillagelarder@btinternet.com (for any details of any of the above. (They will be only too pleased to help)