FoodCycle, a community dining charity, is urgently appealing for helpers in Sunderland to prevent local people from going hungry this summer. The organisation needs more volunteers to keep its free weekly sessions running smoothly as regular helpers take holidays.
How FoodCycle Works
The group transforms surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away into nourishing three-course vegetarian meals. These sessions are open to anyone who needs a warm meal and friendly conversation. Organisers are encouraging residents to sign up to help even just once or twice a month during July and August. Across England and Wales, the charity needs to fill more than 8,500 volunteer slots over the summer months.
Impact in the North East
FoodCycle runs nine dining projects across the North East. Last year, regional teams served 12,383 meals and saved almost 34 tonnes of food from going to waste. Anyone aged 18 and older can sign up to help with cooking, hosting, or delivering food.
A Rewarding Experience
The appeal comes as surveys show that many guests struggle to afford groceries and often eat meals alone. Carla Jones, 31, has volunteered at a nearby project for five years. She said: "It gives me a sense of purpose. It’s given me an outlet for my cooking skills and made me feel better that I’m not wasting them. It’s helped my mental health as well, because I enjoy it. I benefit from it probably as much as the guests do. It’s given me more confidence. It’s like a little escape for me."
Carla believes the sessions have a massive impact on visitors' health. She added: "A lot of the guests that I’ve met say: ‘I’m eating better, I’m trying things that I’ve never tried before.’ I think that’s more important than anything really because to have good food, it helps with everything." She encourages others to get involved: "Just do it, just give it a go! Just come along and just see how it goes, and I can guarantee you’ll have a nice time."
Call to Action
Organisers want to ensure these vital lifelines continue supporting vulnerable people throughout the year. Steve Sheard, regional manager for the North East, said: "We have a few different roles people can get involved with at FoodCycle community meals - from cooking, to serving food and chatting with guests, delivering surplus food to our projects, or doing the washing up. We’d love for anyone who is interested to sign up via our website."
Chief executive Mark Game added: "Too many people are struggling to afford the food they need, and too many are experiencing loneliness. That’s why FoodCycle’s community meals are more important than ever. Every week our volunteers help create welcoming spaces where people can enjoy nourishing food and company, while ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste. We know these meals make a real difference to the guests who join us – but we need more help, as demand remains high all year round. This summer we need to fill more than 8,500 volunteer slots around England and Wales to keep our projects running. If you can spare a few hours we’d love you to join us and help make a difference in your local community."
Where to Find Free Meals in Sunderland
Free meals are held weekly at these locations:
- Sunderland Ashbrooke: Tuesdays at 12:30pm at Stockton Road URC Church, Stockton Road, Sunderland, SR2 7DD
- Sunderland Grindon: Thursdays at 6:30pm at Grindon Church Community Project, Galway Road, Grindon, Sunderland, SR4 8JZ
To sign up to volunteer, visit www.foodcycle.org.uk/volunteer-portal. To support the charity financially, visit www.foodcycle.org.uk/donate.
