On Saturday 8th November over 150 people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities gathered in Rotherham Minster to celebrate the fifth birthday of the Social Supermarket at Rotherham Minster.
As always, so many people contributed to make it a success. The Minster was decorated with bunting created at the Rotherham show by over 100 participants. The team made prayer flags to thank God for all He has given. They made a mosaic, played games and were entertained by their ‘Tuesday Singers’ and hand bell ringers. Folk from Lighthouse Homes made and served up lashings of chilli, while Makeza, a volunteer, made a delicious cake.
Rotherham Mayor, Rev Phil Batchford and Christine Batchford talked about the birth of the project during the pandemic and the way it has grown to be ‘So Much More than Food’… a place of meeting and connecting, a place where hope can be re-kindled and a place where help can be found.
In this project over 50 volunteers lend their skills, local shops donate their surplus food (Tesco, M&S, Aldi, Fareshare, Neighbourly and Food Aware) and so many people donate food and funds to make it happen. Our partners provide help with clothing, employment, money skills, savings, wellbeing and more. Attendees at the event heard stories of hope including from parents and children enjoying cooking together, those who were feeling so low that they were considering ending their lives finding new purpose, and families having a ‘day out’ at the Minster when coming to get their food.
They also announced a new partnership with Food Works – Just Meals, which means that healthy frozen ready meals will be available in the Minster for a minimum donation of £1.00. They were also able to announce their funding from the National Lottery Community Fund has been extended for a further four years, ensuring they can keep up the good work.
Mayor of Rotherham , Councillor Rukhsana Ismail added: “What started as a community meal at St Paul’s in Masbrough, partially derailed by Covid, but which gave rise to something even better, the Social Supermarket – Rotherham Minster celebrated five wonderful years of service, bringing people together, and above all, supplying food and company with a side order of dignity.”