OUR STORY
The Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard CIO began in March 2020 when the country was thrown into its first lockdown for COVID. We started with the Community Hub, through which volunteers offered to collect prescriptions, go shopping, post letters, and do just about anything to help those affected by Covid restrictions. A team of seven volunteers managed the scheme and manned a dedicated phone for people to ring and ask for assistance. In the first year, more than 1,000 tasks had been undertaken by the volunteers.
The Community Cupboard was established soon after in May 2020, as people began to struggle financially because of Covid restrictions. It continues to provide donated/surplus food to the local community on a weekly basis, as well as during the school holidays through a partnership with the local primary and secondary schools. Management of The Hub and Community Cupboard was merged in 2021 to provide unity to the provision of our services.
In the four years that have followed, we have endeavoured to provide new ways to reach out to the community to provide support for everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing. This has been through ventures such as the Community Lunches that started in January 2021 and continue to provide hot, nutritious meals both to resident’s houses, as well as through a sit down meal at the Lunesdale Hall for our older community. Ventures such as the Kids Cinema provide a hot lunch and film showing to families with young kids in the area to enjoy. The relaxed atmosphere provides a welcoming place for both children and parents alike to catch up and meet new friends. Each of our other ventures aim to provide a friendly environment for the local community to spend time together, such as our Tuesday Soups or Craft and Chat sessions, or access support during financial struggles, such as our Household Budgeting.
We’re proud to say that all our ventures are pay-as-you-can, ensuring that everyone is welcome.