Poole Waste Not Want Not adapts to cost-of-living crisis

Poole Waste Not Want Not has so far seen an increase in demand of 58 per cent in 2023 compared to the same period last year, with an average of three households signing up daily.

Waste Not Want Not provides a supermarket for individuals and families to purchase food and essentials at reduced prices, as well as courses and support for families in need.

In response to growing demand and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, the charity has sought to find ways in which it would be able to help already struggling households.

It had been hearing from some of its most vulnerable members that they were eating cold food sitting in cold homes in blankets, as they are unable to turn the oven on.

To tackle this problem, Waste Not Want Not has received a grant from the Dorset Community Foundation and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to offer free electric blankets to give to the most vulnerable.

Energy saving equipment has helped to support 125 individuals in 61 households, with 58 electric blankets given to elderly members or those who suffer from ill health.

In addition, free equipment has been given for free to the most deprived households, to reduce the cost of cooking. The charity has been working to educate families to reduce food poverty and giving them the tools and the confidence to cook food in a cost effective way.

One person who was helped by this initiative was George Cook, who received a slow cooker.

George said: “l made a beef curry today; l am so happy. Thanks to Waste Not Want Not, really to help me get my confidence back in cooking.”

Thanks to the Cash for Kids charity, Waste Not Want Not has also managed to support 39 children with school uniforms.

Erika Sloper, charity project manager, said: “It breaks my heart to think people are still going hungry in 2023, so many families need our support, let us not forget households on minimum wage as they struggle and may be unable to get the support they need.”