We need to raise £8k in order to take on a paid manager (the current boss is a volunteer, and she’s understandably exhausted), buy a new large commercial fridge, a replacement freezer and get extra sanitiser supplies. We’ve secured extra storage space - now we need the equipment and manager!

URGENT help needed.

We don‘t think we can raise this just by asking ordinary members of the public so do you know any high net worth individuals who might donate anything towards this? If you do, please pass this on to them URGENTLY and ask them to email us on dinewithusbedford@gmail.com with a contact phone number.

Alternatively if anyone would like to sponsor an item directly that is also welcome (for example 3 months hire of a unit, 3 months running costs, a new fridge).

We would welcome working with other charities too and we welcome applications from those not at work who are Group C, perhaps teachers and Heads of Schools.

PLEASE share the heck out of this and see if anyone or any Trust funds can help us to do what we do best, help those most vulnerable in our community.

BACKGROUND

Here at 'Dine With Us', we normally give hot meals, clothing, bedding, toiletries and other provisions to homeless and other needy people in Bedford.

In addition to servings hot meals on Saturday nights, we collect "waste" food nightly from a number of supermarkets. By saving these tonnes of food from landfill, we help the environment as well as being able to offer healthy, fresh food to people who can't afford to buy it.

We are all volunteers and receive no funding except for donations from the public. We desperately need to raise money to pay our £100+ per week electricity bill. If we could also replace some of the oldest fridges and freezers with newer, more efficient models, we could reduce future electricity consumption and help the environment. Any excess money from this campaign will go towards our normal operating costs and/or improving our equipment.