Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation for Surrey, we are proud to say we now have a community fridge based at East Surrey Hospital.
What is a community fridge? The community fridge aims to reduce food waste and promote community engagement, strategically placed in publicly accessible locations. The East Surrey Hospital Community Fridge collects surplus perishable food from local businesses, including the on-site produce stall, Three Arches Restaurant, and supermarkets. This food is then made freely available to the community, fostering a sense of sharing and mutual support.
Most importantly it's open to everyone - The community Fridge is open to everyone in the community, providing an opportunity for individuals and families to access fresh, nutritious food items that might otherwise go to waste.
How does the community fridge work? Anyone can visit the Community Fridge and take items for themselves and their families. The principle is simple: take what you need and leave enough for others. The unpredictable variety of food items includes bread, pastries, fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt, and eggs.
Where can I find the community fridge? The fridge is located at the East Entrance at East Surrey Hospital, opposite the multi-faith centre and is accessible 24/7.
Can I contribute? Absolutely! The Community Fridge operates on a giving and receiving basis. Individuals are encouraged to contribute surplus food items, such as cheeses, fresh fruits, vegetables, table sauces, pastry, unopened pasteurized milk and yogurt, unopened fruit juices, salads, and traceable lion-stamped eggs with clean shells and a use-by date.
Items we cannot accept - Certain items are not accepted, including cooked food from unregistered sources, unpasteurised milk, cooked rice, raw milk cheeses, pâtés, bean sprouts, products that could contain any of the mentioned ingredients, and unlabelled multiple-ingredient items.
We couldn't do it without you - The Community Fridge is made possible through the support of SASH Charity, thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation for Surrey. Thank you to all the local businesses who kindly donate food, and to our brilliant team of volunteers who look after the fridge.
To find out more about how you can help the hospital. Please contact sash.charity@nhs.net or call SASH Charity on 07966 235171