AS the cost-of-living crisis becomes the everyday norm, have you ever looked behind the scenes to see who is keeping our community afloat?
The Echo asked our readers to suggest individuals who are doing their bit, and more, to ensure no one goes hungry in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Meet our local heroes who strive to help others through growing their own produce, late-night drives to the supermarkets, essential donations and endless support and advice.
“You cannot turn someone away”
Residents sing the praises of Anne Melley from Townsend Community Fridge who “refuses” to let the community go without.
Anne volunteers at the community fridge, which is the only external fridge in Bournemouth, along with her sister.
She also grows fresh produce to fill the fridge, along with leftover products from supermarkets.
Since opening six years ago, Anne said she has noticed “a lot more people” now seeking help with food.
She said: “People will travel for food; you cannot turn them away.
“We have someone who comes from Wimborne and one man that walks from Charminster.”
Anne, and the other volunteers, sort the food to ensure it is suitable for each person, such as a single person without any cookware can be given ready meals.
The team also receive donations from nearby restaurants such as KFC and Nandos.
“There is nothing nicer than when you can tell a family you have KFC for them, because it is just not affordable for some families,” said Anne.
She added: “We also sometimes get flowers from the supermarket.
“When you can give someone a bunch of flowers, you pick the person who you think needs the pick me up, it is nice to make people happy.”
The Townsend Community Fridge has 900 visits each month, with the 25 committed volunteers collecting five and a half tonnes of food each month.
The team also host the Friendly Food Club who do cooking workshops and donate appliances such as slow cookers and air fryers.
Anyone can use the external and internal fridges, which are based at the Townsend Community centre.
“It takes an awful lot of courage to ask for help”
Turning Point Church has been working with online giving charity Acts 435 to donate essential items to families and individuals in Pokesdown and Boscombe.
Pastor, Ian Rothwell has been living in the area since 1995 and said he noticed a need for the community.
Ian, along with other members of the church, meet with people in the towns to discuss what donations would help them.
Hannah Christian sought help for herself and two sons, one of which has life-long health complications, who needed bunk beds and kitchen equipment.
Due to donations given through Acts 435, Turning Point Church were able to buy the items for Hannah and her sons.
“Asking for help, it takes an awful lot of courage,” said Ian.
“Things such as fridge breaking, cost of school uniform, house supplies, really practical things.
“We visit the person and ask what we can do for you.
“One part of the puzzle can lift a burden.”
As well as helping through physical donations, Ian said the church can build long-term relationships with residents.
“It builds the community and feels more human.
“Just a little bit of relief if not the solution."
“It’s rare to find that kind of dedication and determination”
Kathy Grubb from West Howe Community Enterprises has been described as going “above and beyond” with her volunteering alongside her family.
She first joined the community fridge last year to help her son with autism, Matthew, settle in and then never left.
Now Kathy runs the fridge with 11 volunteers, including her husband who spends between 14 and 26 hours a week collecting food alongside his full-time job.
Kathy said the number of people using the fridge has “increased dramatically” in the past year.
“When we first started we had about 20 to 30 people a week, now we have 65 to 70 people each session, twice a week,” said Kathy.
“I also do food parcels to help struggling families that cannot get vouchers for a food bank.”
As well as running the community fridge, Kathy hosts cost-of-living drop-in sessions once a week to signpost people towards help.
“For a lot of people, it’s not just collecting the food, it’s other things that they need help with.
“That’s what we’re trying to do here at West Howe Community Enterprises is to listen to what the people want and try to help them in anyway we can.”
Kathy said everyone is welcome to use the fridge because “everybody is entitled to save food from going to the landfill”.
She added: “We’re always looking for drivers.
“It doesn’t have to be every week, it can be once a month.
“It helps relieve the stress on my husband and I.”
Kathy also stressed the importance of being grateful for everything they receive, no matter how big or small.
Last year the team hosted a Christmas card competition at the youth centre with the winner’s design being used to send thank you cards to local supermarkets and donators.
“It gives people a sense of choice, dignity and control”
Erika Sloper, at Poole Waste Not Want Not, supports families and individuals through a social supermarket which sells food at 50 to 75 per cent less than regular shops.
It aims to help residents sustain themselves longer-term while also supporting those in a crisis.
“We do food bank crisis parcels, so we would never let anybody go without any food,” said Erika.
She added: “However, if mum or dad come in with only £20 and they've got a family of six to feed, they would still go out with enough food for a family of six and just donate maybe £15.
“So we work with that individual and it gives people a sense of choice, dignity and control, rather than going to a food bank and getting the food that's allocated to you.”
Erika said before the Covid-19 pandemic, most members were on Universal Credit or on long-term sickness whereas now they have more dual income households.
“They're both working and they're finding energy bills, their mortgages have gone up and they're actually shopping on credits, which shouldn't be happening in this day and age.”
The charity helps individuals clear their debts and manage their funds by shopping at the discounted supermarket.
Erika said she could not do what she does without her 32 volunteers who all go “above and beyond”.
The centre’s coffee shop is open to the whole community with many customers paying forward for those who cannot afford food.
To seek help or offer assistance contact:
Townsend Community Fridge, 01202 301556
Turning Point Church, 07468 514739
West Howe Community Enterprises, 01202 580299
Poole Waste Not Want Not, 01202 402818
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