How did we start?

Building on the work of Jane Keen who founded the Cupboard on her front drive in April 2020, the Cupboard was transferred to Pershore Baptist Church in June 2021. Since then, it has become an integral part of the community of Pershore and the surrounding villages. Located within Pershore Baptist Church, it represents one of the church’s areas of community engagement within its vision “Love in Action”. The church provides policy and legal oversight of the Cupboard and its operations.

 

What is our motivation?

Mindful of the five steps to mental wellbeing, our aim is to support those in crisis, and to help build a resilient local community. Whilst providing practical help, we also address economic, social and environmental challenges. We provide for those in economic difficulty through daily provision and Support Parcels. We address social isolation by creating a friendly, safe and welcoming space which encourages social engagement and interaction, and offers a context for volunteering, and we reduce environmental impact by recycling food and other essentials. In addition, we build resilience by providing guidance on creating healthy meals on low budgets We are open 6 days a week at set times, and all are welcome.

  

What have we achieved to date?

In addition to providing over 9000 baskets of food a year through the Cupboard itself, we assist 5 local schools with food donations, and Support Packages for families when times are tough.  At Christmas over 160 families were supported with Christmas Treats and food vouchers. When we are able, we also help the Riverside Centre in Pershore and the Adventure Playground in Evesham. Year on year we have seen the number of baskets of food given out increase from 7697 in 2022 to 9186 in 2025. This has been accompanied by ongoing requests for Support Parcels and increasing help for schools and needy families.

 

How can you help?

As supermarkets reduce their own waste, we have seen a substantial decline in the amount of food available for collection. In addition to receiving fresh fruit and vegetables from supermarkets, we are grateful for monetary donations. These are used towards running costs and to purchase provisions, including rice, pasta, tinned vegetables, tomatoes, baked beans, soup, fruit, rice pudding and custard. Our donors sometimes prefer to gift food items, and we are just as grateful for these, as well as toiletries, sanitary wear, cleaning products etc. If you would like to donate financially, you can do so to the Community Cupboard Restricted Funds at Pershore Baptist Church by bank transfer. The bank details are: Pershore Baptist Church. HSBC Bank, Sort Code: 40 47 17. Account no: 43937992. Reference: Com. Cup

This could be a one-off donation, or you might choose to provide regular monthly support through a standing order, if you feel able to do this. Your help is really appreciated.

 

If you would like to volunteer, please email us at communitycupboard2@gmail.com . We would love to talk to you about the opportunities. Training is provided, and you would be joining a wonderful group of committed volunteers who go above and beyond for the sake of the community. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Thank you to all who make this work possible.