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Community Matters – a
new mobile foodbank

FROM 1st March, Deal Foodbank will
launch a new mobile service called
Community Matters that will serve the
villages of Aylesham and Elvington.
Having raised enough money to specially commission
a large van, the Foodbank will now be able to reach
villages where public transport is scarce.
Deal Foodbank Project Coordinator, Sheila Ward
comments, “All our foodbanks operate to help and
support those in the most need.
“Now with this mobile service we will be able to reach
those who wouldn’t be able to reach us otherwise”.
Community Matters was backed by a number of
funders including a generous grant from Kent Coalfield
Community Fund.

Healthy, affordable and
sustainable food

At Bechange there is a very well equipped kitchen
that is a great space for showing beginners how to cook
great meals, introduce people to skills needed in the
hospitality sector, and to prepare and cook community
meals.
Alongside the kitchen, they operate as the contact
point for Deal Area Foodbank. Staff can help with IN AYLESHAM:
vouchers and starting in March, Bechange will be the
venue for the food bank’s new mobile centre which will EVERY TUESDAY 9.30am – 10.30am
be visiting twice a week (see column, right). at Bechange, – Ackholt Rd
And every Thursday Bechange is the distribution WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:
point for Fareshare - the project that cuts food waste • A paper voucher or e-voucher issued to
by ‘making still good to eat’ food from local farms and you
supermarkets available to the community with no need • Carrier bags to take your food away
for vouchers. Fareshare times are 9.30am until the food
is gone. WHAT YOU’LL GET:
You might also see in the Bechange reception, the • A food parcel featuring three days of
Community Fridge where anyone can drop off ‘in date nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food
but not needed’ food for others to make use of. And of How to get a voucher:
course people can pop in and take home anything in
the fridge that they can put to good use. Bechange Aylesham - 01304 840134
Celebrating 25 years Citizens Advice Deal - 01304 202442
Deal Foodbank - 01304 728428
This successful Aylesham charity is planning a
number of events throughout 2022 - its Silver Jubilee If you have any questions, do
year. They plan to develop and promote the great things give us a call on 01304 72842
that happen in the Community Hub and continue to
reach-out to the rural community around the village.
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