Latest News on the Peninsula Food Pod
By LESLEY MATTHEWS of Fishguard and Goodwick Commmunity Fridge
All our lives have been affected in these unprecedented times – whether it be getting used to lockdown, school closures, social distancing or the potentially devastating job furloughs and losses which have seen the income of many households drop dramatically.
What began as a Community Fridge, collecting surplus food from shops and supermarkets, to redistribute through our shed in front of the Gateway Hub in Fishguard, has turned into Fishguard and Goodwick Food Support.
Since March we have joined with St Davids and Solva Food Pod under the banner of the Peninsula Food Pod. The St Davids Food Pod started last year and has been providing food aid to local families since then.
The combined efforts now cover all areas across the entire Peninsula, from Newgale to Fishguard and all places in between. Food is delivered using full safety measures as required by Covid-19 shielding.
Little did I know, that fateful week in March when lockdown began, that we would still be delivering food parcels to more than 110 families across the Peninsula in June.
When St Davids and Solva held their first packing session in the City Hall they made just 15 parcels a week. This week they made 42 parcels – and expect it to be more next week.
Fishguard and Goodwick began in a similar fashion, using our donated surplus food to help 20 families in our first week. The numbers have steadily gone up as the prospect of a booming tourist season has faded. Every parcel we deliver is a very practical expression of how our community has come together to help and care for each other. Thank you to all our volunteers, who help us to collect, purchase, pack and deliver food.
Thank you to all the people in the Peninsula who have helped in so many ways, whether by donating tins and packets to our donation boxes or by contributing money to our funds. Everything donated has been sorely needed and continues to be needed.
And we won’t be stopping anytime soon – this is going to go on and on. We’re in it for the long haul.
Anyone in need of food support should message through the Facebook page or call:
Louise Tarbuck in the St Davids area: 01437 729321
or contact Lesley Matthews on the Facebook page for Fishguard and Goodwick Community Fridge or call 07769602901.
