A non profit charity organisation in Lincolnshire says it has been misunderstood by most people as ‘just a food charity’.
Feeding Gainsborough stands not just as a food supplying organisation, but also, as an establishment that provides comprehensive support for individuals navigating life’s challenges.
Julie Musonda, director, said: “I need people to understand what we do here because the company is not just about giving out food as the name implies but an end-to-end wrap-around service.”
“What this means is that we not only collect food from stores and manufacturers to redistribute, we also collect pieces of furniture and other household items to either give out or sell to pay the warehouse rent and fuel the van we use for collection.”
“It is about giving people options and opportunities to get on with their lives. We always do everything we can to support people when they are in a bad place.”
Feeding Gainsborough is connected to several companies that are embedded within the community and offer an array of different supports from housing to general livelihood.
Rebecca Storr, a community support worker for Longhurst Group explained that the company has been working together with the charity organisation almost since its inception in 2019 and has been the go-to place, especially for people moving into their tenancies.
Patience Christian, a resident who lives on Clinton Terrace, Gainsborough, and benefits from the initiative said: “I have always been a recipient of the Saturday food table which takes place at the All-Saints Parish Church but to my surprise, I found out they do more than just feed us.”
“When I moved with my husband into our apartment, Feeding Gainsborough advertised a set of furniture. I requested for them and they were delivered to my house. I didn’t pay a dime.