The Gamlingay Food Project is a food bank partnership between the two Gamlingay churches – St Mary’s and Gamlingay Baptist Church.

It is based in the Alms Houses’ former chapel in Church Street, opposite the pharmacy – along with the Community Fridge, a partnership with shops like M&S and the Co-Op.

See below for things to donate and opening times.

If you grow fresh food and want to give some of it to others, please bring what you can spare to us to be passed on with considerable appreciation.

Gamlingay’s Food Project has two main ‘arms’ to its work:

1. The Need Project Hub takes donations from across the community of non-perishable items and provides parcels for those in need as they are referred to the Project.

The Hatley Leave a tin on your drive initiative is a regular contributor.

Referrals will come from local partners, schools, children services and social services etc. Parcels are made up on site and delivered to the homes of those referred, as often as once a week, for as long as may be needed.

It works in partnership with The Need Project and currently supports around 32 families on a regular basis.

2. The Community Fridge – works with Cambridge Sustainable Food and Zero Carbon communities to reduce food waste and carbon footprints.

It’s simple concept: food which would have normally ended up in the bin at shops like M&S and the Co-Op is given to the Community Fridge to be distributed to anyone who wants it, free of charge.

Things to donate

The principle requirement is for food items, such as…

• Cereals
• Tins of…
• • Baked beans
  • Cold meats
  • Custard or rice pudding
  • Fruit
  • Pasta
  • Pasta sauce
  • Tuna
  • Veg – potatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, peas

As well as things like…

• Tea
• Coffee
• Squash
• UHT milk
• …and any other non-perishable items, such as toothpaste, tissues and toilet rolls.

When open and where to

The Need Project Hub always welcomes donations, which can be dropped off at the Alms House Chapel when the Food Project is open…

• Monday 2.30 to 4.30 pm
• Tuesday to Friday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon
• Saturday from 9.30 am until the Community Fridge is emptied.

If in doubt or you want to know more or help out in any way, please speak to one of their wonderful volunteers.

_{Post created 15th December 2024; updated 6th January 2025.}