A COMMUNITY fridge which will offer free food to everyone will be launched in Dorchester to support residents struggling financially due to the Covid pandemic and to reduce waste thrown out by shops.

Volunteer Centre Dorset has announced the launch of CasterFridge, which will be situated in the foyer of the Co-op supermarket, in Trinity Street, and is designed to offer free food to everyone in the community.

It is the first of its kind in Dorchester.

Project Co-ordinator, Issy McGowan, said: "Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we've seen the essential need for a close-knit community working together. Without it, many of our Dorset residents would have suffered immensely.

"CasterFridge is there for everyone in our community, whether you are struggling financially, want to help the environment by reducing waste, or just want to pick up a couple of bits to try - absolutely everyone is welcome.

"It's the first of its kind for Dorchester."

The purpose of the community fridge is to reduce the amount of edible food waste thrown out by shops and is instead donated to the community.

Ms McGowan said the fridge is free to use and is open to everyone regardless of financial situation.

"The fridge will rely on volunteers to get it set up, and the eventual hope is that it will be run by volunteers.

"To start off with there will be one volunteer to help people and to maintain Covid-19 social distancing rules," said McGowan.

"It will provide some new and exciting volunteering opportunities and will inspire a sense of community."

"The fridge is set to open by the end of March and will operate three days a week.

"I will be talking to shops across Dorchester to take donations for the project."

The Dorset Volunteer Centre, which is based in Acland Road, Dorchester, is part of a national network of volunteer centres that help voluntary and community organisations recruit and manage volunteers, and helps people interested in volunteering to find interesting and enjoyable opportunities.

It covers the whole of Dorset, excluding Bournemouth and Poole, which have their own centre.

The centre is accredited by Volunteering England - the national body that sets standards of service and confidentiality for volunteer centres.

If you would like to get involved in the CasterFridge project by volunteering or becoming a food donation point, please contact the volunteer centre on: office@volunteeringdorset.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can contact the centre on 01305269214.

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