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A community group has pledged to continue its efforts in combating food poverty after providing 8,000 free meals to vulnerable individuals.
Positive Community Action (PCA) in Wiltshire was established to address issues of deprivation and social isolation within the Marlborough and Pewsey region.
Karen Knight, coordinator of the group’s community meals initiative, stated that the milestone reflects the dedication of volunteers who have made a “real impact” across the wider community.
She remarked, “I think it’s a really nice thing to do. It reminds me that kindness, like a good meal, is meant to be shared.”
Mrs. Knight further added, “To think we’ve actually cooked 8,000 meals is absolutely just beyond my imagination.”
PCA’s community meals program is sustained through public donations, which are used to fund the purchase of essential ingredients.
The program is also supplemented by surplus food rescued from local businesses, which is incorporated into the dishes.
Siobhan Boyle, director at PCA, noted, “Every penny and every donation we receive goes straight back into making sure our most vulnerable neighbors are fed and connected.”
Ms. Boyle emphasized, “Hitting the 8,000-meal mark is an unbelievable collective triumph, entirely powered by our local community.”
In addition to the community meals scheme, the PCA delivers food to families facing financial hardship.
The organization also operates a friendship café and a food share initiative within the Marlborough and Pewsey area.
Ms. Knight highlighted that the human interaction is just as crucial as the food itself: “People love getting their meal, but they also love the chat on the doorstep.”
“They might not see anyone from week to week, so that Friday when they get a meal delivered…I think it really brightens their day.”
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