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On the 5 May Bishop Debbie joined Diocesan Lay Chair Chris Banks, to visit two of the ‘Food for Thought Daventry’ community larders, along with a stop at a local primary school to see how church and community are working hand in hand to effectively tackle the increasing issues of food poverty and food waste.
The day began at Woodford Halse CofE Primary School in the Brackley deanery, where Headteacher Alison Crockford guided Bishop Debbie and Chris Banks around the school’s expansive campus, including its impressive outdoor spaces. During the visit, they met children from nursery age through to Year 6 and joined a thoughtful discussion group exploring the theme of “heroes.” It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the values of kindness, service, and community; principles at the heart of both the school and the Church.
The visiting party were then joined by Miranda Wixon, Chair of ‘Food for Thought Daventry’ and moved to the Woodford Halse Community Larder, located in an annexe on the school site. With its own entrance and dedicated facilities, the larder has grown into a hub for the local community. Larder Leader Karen Pollard shared how the project aims to address both food poverty and the issues of food waste, providing access for all members of the community to both chilled and ambient foods, the majority of which come from the supermarket sector and would otherwise be thrown away. Bishop Debbie met volunteers preparing to open the larder, witnessing firsthand the spirit of generosity and service that drives the initiative, before speaking with members as they were selecting items.
The second visit took place at Long Buckby Community Larder in the Brixworth deanery. Established during the school holidays last July, this larder is the newest addition to the Food for Thought network and uniquely based within St Lawrence Church, where Chris Banks is churchwarden. Despite limited storage space with food items occupying part of the vestry, the project thrives thanks to the dedicated support of church members, who form the core volunteer team. They are joined by colleagues from other churches in the village and the wider community, truly reflecting the Church’s mission to serve beyond its walls.
Bishop Debbie spent time with volunteers before opening, thanking them for their commitment and compassion, and later engaging with those benefiting from the service.
Throughout the day it was incredibly encouraging to see how church and school are serving their respective communities by not only providing affordable food and tackling food waste, but also creating a network of care by signposting to essential services such as housing advice, community law, and local support groups.
Find out more about Food For Thought Daventry
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