Our Story
Ginas for the Community CIC launched three years ago with a simple yet profound mission: to provide hot meals to the homeless and less fortunate families and individuals. Our CIC was set up to honour Georgina, a lovely, caring woman, mother, and friend with a heart of gold, who sadly passed away from cancer. Initially, we focused on distributing homemade meals, striving to bring warmth and nutrition to those in need. This grassroots effort quickly evolved as we recognized the broader potential to impact our community.
Expanding Our Impact
Since October 2023, we have formed partnerships with Pret, Sainsbury's, and other retailers, securing over £100,000 worth of surplus food. This collaboration has allowed us to collect food from three Pret locations daily, ensuring a consistent supply from Monday to Sunday. Our pickups are at different times, enabling us to reach various areas. For example, Clapham Common Pret allows us to serve both Clapham Common and the Brixton area. Additionally, we have two daily evening Pret pickups in Victoria at 7 PM and 8 PM, enabling us to serve a wide number of homeless and less fortunate individuals and families.
Introducing LEEP: Lambeth’s Educational Employment Program
In May 2024, we launched the Lambeth Educational Employment Program (LEEP), a transformative initiative designed to equip young people with valuable skills and employment opportunities. Through LEEP, participants engage in interview and CV workshops, undertake a Level 2 Food and Hygiene Manufacturing course, and cook in our amazing, refurbished kitchen, preparing meals for the homeless and enhancing their employability in the food service industry. We also intensely search for jobs with young people to prevent exploitation and potentially strengthen family relationships, fostering young leaders within our community. Furthermore, we conduct awareness sessions and mentoring as part of the LEEP program. Young people also have the opportunity, as a team, to plan and film awareness videos on societal issues that have impacted them or communities, such as exploitation, knife/gun crime awareness, bereavement support, and bullying. Our team comprises highly skilled youth practitioners, some with over 16 years of experience in various roles.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By guiding individuals towards achievable solutions, we aim to address immediate needs while fostering long-term self-sufficiency.
- Provide more care packages consisting of sanitary products, toothbrushes, water, healthy snacks, and sleeping bags for those living rough, and tinned/dried foods and fresh food for less fortunate families.
- Expand our reach to other areas, bringing our services and support to more communities in need.
- Ensure the continuity and expansion of our LEEP program, reaching more young people and offering more comprehensive support.
Get Involved
We encourage volunteers to join us in making a difference. Your involvement can help us expand our reach and deepen our impact. For more information and to find out how you can get involved, please visit our website.
Why You Should Consider Regular Donations
At Ginas for the Community CIC, regular donations are crucial for sustaining and expanding our efforts. Here’s how your ongoing support can make a difference:
With the funds we raise, we plan to:
- Provide more care packages consisting of sanitary products, toothbrushes, water, healthy snacks, and sleeping bags for those living rough, and tinned/dried foods and fresh food for less fortunate families.
- Distribute additional sleeping bags and hot meals to the homeless.
- Reach families on low incomes, offering care packs that include essential items to help alleviate their financial burdens.
- Expand our reach to other areas, bringing our services and support to more communities in need.
- Ensure the continuity and expansion of our LEEP program, reaching more young people and offering more comprehensive support.
Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact
Your regular support helps us create a cycle of support that enables lasting change. Set up your recurring donation on our website and join us in building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Thank you for believing in our vision!
Please feel free to check out our Instagram and TikTok accounts and website for more info, and feel free to send us a message.
- Instagram: @ginasforthecommunity
- TikTok: @ginascommunity
- Website: ginasforthecommunity.org.uk
- Email: [email protected]