In 2023 we provided 1323 meals to our community, this was a 52% increase from 2022.
We have been in operation for over 3 years, we provide a nutritious and hearty meal and pudding every Friday night from our Southwick based cafe and we deliver too.
We provide food to all, those who can pay do and effectively "pay it forward for those who cannot". Our mission is to forge friendship through food and we work to overcome social isolation, provide a warm space to those who cannot afford to heat their homes and create a space for intergenerational friendships. Our customers range from a 6-month old to an 83-yealr-old.
We are an employer, paying a number of chefs and an administrator, we are supported by 4 founding directors and 20 volunteers. Every year we provide a Christmas meal to 45 people, these customers would not enjoy a Christmas meal without our support.
But the last year has been extraordinary tough, all costs have escalated our: salaries, food costs, insurance and marketing costs. Food costs have jumped between 10-20% and we are concerned of the impact of the upcoming customs delays to EU imported food stuffs. We've got busier, but people's ability to pay has reduced.
Here's a highlight of what we have done over the last year:
- energy advice session to 25 cafe attendees
- Christmas lunch to 40, with music, Father Christmas and gift for children
- Esteem youth charity and cafe guests games night - pure intergenerational work
- Provided 1323 cooked meals
- Created recipe binders and menus of our meals to customers
- Provided work for 4 chefs and 1 administrator (Living Wage Salary)
We now need your help for fundraising please, your monies will go towards our big Christmas event: food, presents and decorations, anything over these costs will go towards: rent, insurance, marketing and insurance costs. Your monies will help assist the running of the cafe, which is needed more than ever.
Here is a recent review: "Great service. Lovely people and have met some wonderful people coming here and so glad I did! It has helped me with my anxiety and mental health. Just to get out of my flat is wonderful. I cannot thank you all enough"
We thank you so much for your support in 2024 and beyond. The Adur Community Cafe team