Trinity Methodist Church in Edward Street is celebrating the award of a local Area Action Partnership grant to extend its community facility to provide a community shop and café.
The Place to Be project, which was officially opened by the town mayor, Cllr Derek Taylor earlier this month, adds to its current food bank service by providing a Community Cupboard, which includes a clothing bank, community cafe and its food cupboard.
Explaining what sets the project apart, Place to Be Coordinator, Jeanette said: “It is our local membership model, fostering new relationships and community spirit.
“Regular interactions help build camaraderie and generate new ideas to strengthen our community. Additionally, our approach emphasises choice, allowing members to select their own items, which maintains dignity and personal preference.
“Our mission is to: strengthen our community; improve health and wellbeing; improve household finances, prevent waste; prevent hunger; build dignity and provide wrap around services as required.
“We provide a place of friendship and community, and to help people to save money on their weekly grocery shop.
“We aim to develop more healthy eating patterns through access to healthy food at competitive prices and by the provision of tailored cookery classes and wrap around support.
“Based within the Trinity Methodist Church, we provide a warm, welcoming space for our members to feel at home, a place to belong and a place to be supported.
“Everybody should have access to good food. Everybody values community. Your Community Cupboards aim to provide both, and more.”
The Community Cupboard concept includes a Clothing Bank which takes donations of clean, useable, pre-loved clothes and school uniforms; providing choice and dignity for those who need it.
The Food Cupboard is set up to look and feel like a small shop. Members can look around the shelves and choose things that they will want.
On offer is a wide range of top-quality food including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled food, meat and dairy products, long-life tinned and packaged food, toiletries, cleaning products and nappies. There is also a check out counter similar to a shop.
The food is sourced from donations and discounted ranges to prevent waste and help those in need.
Most items will be closer to their best before date than in shops, but all food will be in a safe and suitable condition. The shop does not stock alcohol or cigarettes and normally won’t have sweets.
Children are most welcome to attend with their parents.
The third element is a Community Café, which will be open for the duration of the cupboards and will provide a simple nourishing and healthy snack and drink at a low cost for members and families.
“Members can join as long as they are over 18 years and live or work in the Spennymoor area,” explained Jeanette. “We welcome as many members as possible and encourage you to invite friends and family to join.”
Members will pay a small membership fee of £1 per month. They can leave any time by stopping their fee payments.
The project will be reviewed regularly, and members will be asked for their feedback on various aspects like opening times and stock availability. Members will also be kept informed of any changes.
“Donating to community food projects supports individuals and families in need, helping to reduce hunger and poverty locally,” said Jeanette.
It provides immediate relief and additional support, such as debt advice, mental health support, and benefits guidance, to help people overcome crises and avoid future food bank use.
Donations, including food, can be made at Trinity Church and other points around Spennymoor.
You can “Sponsor a shop” from £1, £5, £10, £15, or £20 and you can donate through JustGiving at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/placetobe.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
