A HYDE-BASED food club is helping far more than just by putting meals on the table – it is forging community spirit.
The Bread and Butter Thing’s branch at St George’s Church, on the aptly-named Church Street, is helping people and families across the town.
But as members have found, it can make them feel part of something else, the area in which they live.
Sam is an unemployed, single parent to six-year-old daughter Maddison and her teenage son.
The 35-year-old recently moved to Hyde and an encounter with fellow member and volunteer Kev improved her personal circumstances drastically.
Prior to this meeting, Sam had never heard of Bread and Butter Thing or food clubs – only food banks and food tokens.
But she said: “I never knew you could come here, have a chat with people and make friends!
“I don’t have family in this area, so community is so important to me and it’s amazing what people do in this area.”
Kev, a self-employed gardener and former acting agent, lived and worked in London for more than 30 years until he experienced a trauma in adulthood which resulted in him moving back up North and rebuilding his life.
He was walking his dog in the church grounds and doing some voluntary gardening when he first heard of his food club and out of pure curiosity, he thought he would take a closer look.
Three years later, he is the buzz of the hub, running food bags up to members in their cars who struggle to carry them, with his gorgeous five-month-old cocker spaniel puppy Billie in tow.
And like 64 per cent of Bread and Butter Thing members, he feels less alone.
He said: “We all have mental health, so I concentrate on looking after everyone else!
“Before I joined, I didn’t know anyone, I have been made to feel so welcome and I have met so many lovely people.”
A third member, Alison, recently unemployed because of her mental health, but has found solace in her friendships that have grounded her and introduced her to the food club and a wider community of people.
The proximity of her club to her home and the alleviation of some financial strain to her and her family is everything.
She said: “We had an abundance of Carrots one week! So, I have been enjoying experimenting with cooking!”
Bread and Butter Thing supports 87,673 households across 29 regions, with 92 per cent of members saying they would eat more fruit and vegetables if they were available and affordable to them.
More than four out of five admit it gives them access to better food than they otherwise could afford and chief executive, Vic Harper says its impact is clear.
She said: “We’re all about helping food budgets go further.
“Bread and Butter Thing is about reducing the need for emergency food provision, increasing access to nutritious food and building strong communities.
“73 per cent of our members tell us that since joining Bread and Butter they don’t skip as many meals as they used to.
“By shopping with us, members save on their food budgets with the added benefits of better quality and a bigger variety of food. This leads to healthier lifestyles which frees up budget for other household priorities.
“We often get asked where our food comes from. We work closely with big supermarkets like Morrisons, Co-op and Sainsbury’s, all kinds of manufacturers and even farmers who provide us with their surplus produce.
“So, our members get to do their bit for the environment too by stopping excess food going to waste.”
*ANYONE interested in using Bread and Butter Thing’s affordable food clubs just needs to register as a member.
To do this, text 07860 063304 with their name, postcode and hub they would like to join e.g. Hyde.
Once registered, members receive a weekly text offering the food service which they can then collect from their hub every week.