CARING residents in Thurrock are being invited to take part in a community initiative supported by the Co-op.

They are being asked to consider coming together to set up a 'Community Fridge' which will help get much-needed food to those in our community in need.

A Community Fridge is a social space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste.

The Co-op's 2021 Christmas campaign, 'Christmas Together with Food' is about giving thanks and bringing people together at Christmas through the love of food and bringing a bit of cheer to people's lives and Community Fridges will play a big part in that.

Already there are 250 Community Fridges now running in Hubbub's network across the UK. Co-op has now agreed to extend the partnership with Hubbub and fund another 250 community fridges. This will save 30+ millions of meals from going to waste and help feed families who need it.

The Community Fridge Network offers free guidance to groups wanting to set up their own community fridge, and provides comprehensive support, design assets, peer support, health and safety templates as well as discounted fridges and freezers!

The network is organised by the Hubbub charity and you can find out more about it via this link.

You can also find out about how the Co-op can help with funding to set up a Community Fridge.

As well as supporting the Hubbub network in the battle against food inequality the Co-op gives shoppers the chance to contribute to their community via its membership scheme.

Members can help a number of good causes including Hubbub by buying selected items in Co-op stores. The Co-op then donates a portion of the item cost to the good causes and there's an added bonus for Co-op member shoppers, who also get 2p back for every £1 spent. You can find out more about Co-op membership and all the great community work and support currently happening by clicking this link to the Co-op's website.