Working with local businesses
😀Jaffers Supermercado
Not only do we help local families but we also work closely with local businesses. In return we promote their help and support.
Originally, when we began feeding families during Covid, we were restricted to how far we could travel to buy the food for the families. However we soon built up a good relationship with the staff and we love to be able to work with them because they are very friendly and helpful to all of our team.
When we first stated buying the meat for families we worked closely with Carlos, the butcher that was there then. He advised us on the best things to buy, he allowed us to put a donation box on his counter and arranged a discount on our purchase. Originally we used to take the written order to him but he then suggested that send him the weekly meat order by text to make our lives a little easier. He would then have the order ready for collection by our dedicated volunteers Kay & Brian every Friday morning at 11.00 for the distribution to the families at 11.30 to 12.30.
There is now a new butcher there and thankfully he has continued to work with us in the same way.
Trevor and I used to go to Jaffers on a Thursday to buy the fruit and veg. Now though our lovely volunteer Helen bags and buys potatoes, carrots, onions, apples and eggs on a Friday morning, again ready for distribution straight after. Again we receive discount from Jaffers on these goods.
We have also been given permission to put a food donation box near the tills in Jaffers and so thank you to those who shop in Jaffers and donate to us.
Finally, I would like to thank the Jaffers staff for the donations that they, personally, give to us.
😀Between The Lines
When we first began giving food to families we did this from the boot of our car, near Between The Lines as it was an easy place for people to find, reasonably central and easy for us to park.
Fatima Silva, the owner of Between The Lines was curious about what we were doing every Friday and very soon offered us an area of her bar to use. That was an amazingly generous offer and it made our lives so much easier. We had space to organise ourselves. As time has gone on we have adjusted and developed what we do and we are now very organised. We have what we call The Friday Team, 8 people, involved in all aspects of the smooth running of the distribution.
We hope that we are able to boost Fatima’s trade by inviting people to come and see what we do while they sit back and have a drink. Others come to collect items they have purchased and may stop for a drink or a snack / meal.
Additionally we hold 2 quizzes a month at the bar on the 1st & 3rd Monday of the month and Fatima generously donates a bottle of wine to the winning team.