In response to the cost of living crisis, a community meal share is being organised.

Paul Thompson, the organiser of the event and a Denton Holme resident, said this event is being organised to feed families for the day but also to show how to make reliable food from scratch when living much more frugally.

He said: “The current cost of living crisis is causing rising impoverishment among those who are especially vulnerable with low fixed incomes in Carlisle.

“The shocking spike in gas and electric charges is severely challenging when inadequate funds are consequently left for essential food groceries. “

Paul explained that the warning of sharp gas price rises earlier in the year was one of the reasons why he wanted to organise this event.

He continued: “Demands are high on local voluntary welfare food provision services.

“I know from my own current experience how onerous this situation can be.

“This is why I have been propelled to try to make some constructive difference to help the local situation, and myself, in knowing how food provision strictures may be helped with the knowledge of frugal nutritious eating such as cooking from scratch, planned meals, or batch cooking.

“This could also involve opportunities for communally shared meals and signposting to welfare food services which could provide support and hope as well as nourishment.

“Participative operational support has been secured from cookery champion local chef John Crouch and will involve a range of volunteer support and participation.”

There will be vegetarian or vegan offerings, as well as frugal menu recipe leaflets, single meal preparation demonstrations, local welfare food service attendance for enquiries, and a financial advisory service in attendance for any questions.

The meal share takes place on Saturday, October 15, from 12:30pm to 5pm, at St James Church Hall in Denton Holme, Carlisle.
The event is presented by Denton Holme and Longsowerby Community Engagement and has been supported by Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council

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