By Monica Jones
Surplus to Supper have done it again!
Working with A2Dominion, Sunbury Neigh-bours and the Sunbury Cricket Club, the team decided to see if they could interest people in a community lunch. We went along to see for ourselves and meet some of the attendees.
What struck me when I arrived was how warm and cosy it was. It was a cold day and with escalating energy costs, many of us are cutting back on heating. So to spend an hour or so in such warmth was a real treat! Seated in the main hall at the cricket club were some 50 people. Numbers have steadily risen since the soft launch a couple of months ago. People came from all walks of life; locals who wanted some company and warmth, some who were delighted to be offered some food for lunch, prepared by someone else. Some were volunteers from the charities. There was a convivial atmosphere. Surplus to Supper director, Claire Hopkins emphasised “This is all about community. About getting together. It is for everyone.”
A buffet was available, as well as hot soup. All food has been donated as surplus from local supermarkets and would have ended up in landfill if it had not been diverted. This is not “off”. It is simply surplus. Too much of an item which then can’t be sold as new stock arrives to replace it. That is what this is about. We keep food out of landfill and do a great service to the community at the same time.
The lunches run from 11.30-1.30 on the first Tuesday of every month. So upcoming dates are May 3rd, June 7th, July 5th.
Sunbury Cricket Club, Lower Hampton Road, Sunbury, TW16 5PS.
On leaving, guests are invited to take a box of food as well as a selection of goodies. This all depends on what is available. On offer last month was tea, easter eggs, soft drinks and daffodils.
So come on down. Get involved. Meet some neighbours and enjoy some surplus food. Do-nation buckets are available if you want to contribute. All money collected goes back to the charities.
