Introducing... Food-Plus+

Food-Plus+ is another new project for 2013 at A Way Out!

We will be developing and delivering weekly community hubs across four communities in Stockton-on-Tees. An integral element of these hubs will include the delivery of Food-Plus+, an initiative aimed to distribute nutritious food parcels to those who are in food poverty or who are struggling to feed themselves of their family. Perhaps they're struggling from severe financial difficulties or other unforeseen difficulties, and they need the help which Food-Plus+ can provide.

Each of the four hubs will also provide advice and information on healthy lifestyles and opportunities to learn new skills through related activities and courses, e.g. cookery skills, food budgeting etc. Each hub will be open for one afternoon a week, on a different day, ensuring food parcels and further advice and information is available every weekday, Monday to Friday.

We are already involved in food distribution at A Way Out, but it's really exciting to be offering more help and food parcels to those in food poverty on an even more regular basis. Upping the level of our involvement in distribution of food consequently ups our level of man-power needed! We will soon have a part-time Foodbank Development worker joining us, and at some point soon, we also hope to appoint a Community Hub Coordinator which will be a full time post.

However, this is not enough! We need volunteers to help make these hubs possible!

We are looking to recruit and build teams of Community Engagement Volunteers who can support the smooth running of these hubs. This would involve providing a warm, friendly and welcoming environment, talking to those who come in to the hubs and giving out food parcels, providing teas/coffees and refreshments, giving out basic information about classes and courses that we will run and encouraging people to engage with these activities, signposting people to other services where appropriate.

Would you like to come and join the team?

We have an open evening next week; Tuesday 12th March from 6-7:30pm at our building, the Gate in Stockton if you would like to find out more. Check out this event if you're on facebook.

If you're planning on coming, email kate.mayo@awayout.co.uk or ring our office on 01642 655071. We would love to see you there and to have you on board kickstarting this fantastic project!




With love from A Way Out x