Angela – Volunteer
Cooking volunteer Angela is a sustainability champion at her local FoodCycle meal in Falcon Lodge.
101
101
Diane has been coming to FoodCycle Liverpool Old Swan since last summer, having discovered our weekly community meals through a friend.
After moving a few years ago into an area she didn’t know many people, her health declined meaning she couldn’t get out for months at a time.
One day, she told her friend how isolated she was feeling and her friend suggested them finding something to do together what would mean meeting new people. As they both struggled financially, they liked the sound of a free weekly community meal at the local Salvation Army and have been coming ever since.
What brought you to FoodCycle?
“I moved house to an adapted bungalow two years ago, to an area where I didn’t know many people. My health has been very poor and I had months at a time where I wasn’t getting out. I have a really good friend and I’d spoken to her about feeling very isolated and thought we could do something together to meet new people. We have both struggled financially and it is difficult for me to have regular hot meals, due to my health conditions.”
What were your first impressions of a FoodCycle meal?
“We went to FoodCycle one week when I was able to get into the car and I was overcome by how friendly the volunteers were. I had been very nervous before we arrived, but since then, I have slowly got to know other guests from all different backgrounds. I had also been concerned that I was a ‘difficult customer’ due to me being vegetarian and was so relieved to find that only vegetarian food is served. I can’t attend every week, due to my poor mobility and health conditions, but I truly look forward to being able to attend either of the two Projects in Liverpool as often as I can. Being able to sit in a warm and very friendly environment, whilst having hot drinks and amazing food is wonderful.”
What are your favourite FoodCycle meals?
“It’s hard to imagine that this food would once have ended up in landfill. My favourite starter is definitely the tasty fresh vegetable or vegetable and lentil soup. I’ve had delicious casseroles with fresh, delicious mashed potato with a side of fresh veg or a pasta dish and the pudding is most often fresh fruit based. ”
How is the current cost of living crisis affecting you and does FoodCycle help?
“I have had an ongoing dispute with my energy provider charging me for two meters and adding a previous tenants debt to my account. This meant I was scared to even use minimal amount of heat and light before the cost-of-living crisis. Now, with the bills escalating for energy and food, it’s severely impacted my physical and mental health. When I come to FoodCycle, it’s always service with a smile. The charity and the volunteers make such a difference to anyone struggling, whether through food or energy poverty, or just loneliness. Any leftovers are always boxed up for anyone wishing to take some home. Last Christmas, we were treated to an amazing Christmas lunch and received a card and gift. It’s truly overwhelming.”
What would you say to someone visiting a FoodCycle meal for the first time?
“For anyone wishing to attend for the first time, I would say please don’t worry, just turn up. Your life will be made all the better for it!”
Stay in touch with the FoodCycle family. Sign-up to get the latest news, volunteering opportunities, events and updates sent to you every month. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Not all heroes wear capes, some rock an apron and hairnet and whip up a mean pasta bake...
Join our volunteer team and help cook, serve or simply lend a hand. Whether it’s chopping veggies, plating up meals or washing up, it all makes a difference.
Join us for a Summer of Peas & Love. 🫛❤️
Do good, feel good, volunteer with us this summer.
Head to the link in the bio to register and have the best summer ever.
#SummerGoals #SummerVolunteers #Community #CommunityKitchen #FreeMeal #FoodCycle
🎾 A huge shoutout to our friends at Danone for treating some of our amazing volunteers (and a few staff too!) to an unforgettable day at Wimbledon 💚
On 5th July, a group of lucky volunteers from all over the country were picked in a random draw and got to enjoy top tennis action plus a tasty lunch and afternoon tea.
We’re so grateful to Danone for recognising the time, care and energy our volunteers give every week. You are the heart of FoodCycle and we love being able to say thank you in fun and meaningful ways like this.
Here’s to more memories, more meals and more community 💫
#FoodCycle #ThankYouDanone #Wimbledon
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
Well done to the fantastic team at FoodCycle Weoley Castle for another warm and welcoming community meal 💚
This week, they served 22 guests, welcomed a brand new hosting volunteer, and dished up a delicious three-course menu featuring:
🥣 Roasted cauliflower and fennel soup
🍅 Ratatouille with mash and side salad
🍊 Orange drizzle cake
We also want to give a huge shout-out to Jacky, who hit an incredible milestone of 400 volunteer hours! Thank you for your dedication and the difference you continue to make every week 🎉
If you’re in the Weoley Castle area, head to St Gabriel’s at 4pm on Tuesdays for a free meal, good chat and a warm welcome.
Thinking about volunteering? Sign up here via the link in the bio.
#Volunteering #FoodCycle #WeoleyCastle #FreeMeal #WestMidlands #ThreeCourseMeal
A huge thank you to Jane and her brilliant "Ladies that Picnic" for coming together to support FoodCycle during The Big Lunch 💚
Jane hosted a wonderful afternoon filled with community spirit, delicious vegetarian dishes, a quiz, a raffle and even original artwork for sale, all to raise vital funds for our work.
We’re so grateful to Jane and everyone who came along. Your generosity and creativity help us bring people together over food, one meal at a time.
#TheBigLunch #FoodCycle #CommunitySupport #Wardley #Swinton
Run for change in 2026
We’ve got two charity places for the iconic London Marathon and they could be yours 👟
Take on one of the world’s most famous races while helping FoodCycle fight food poverty, tackle loneliness and stop good food from going to waste 💚
Think you’ve got what it takes? Tell us why you’d love to run for us by Sunday 6 July.
📝 Apply now via the link in the bio
📌 £100 reg fee
🎯 £2,500 fundraising target
Let’s do something amazing together.
#FoodCycle #LondonMarathon #CharityPlace #RunForCharity
50 guests, a buzzing dining room and a whole lot of love in Clacton this week!
The sun was shining, the queue was full of chatter, and the energy inside was just as warm 💚
A huge shout out to newly graduated Project Leader Yvonne, who served up her first official meal made entirely from fresh surplus ingredients and nailed it! 👏
Every guest left with a grocery bag to take home, and Collection PL Chris worked his usual magic, making sure nothing went to waste. Even his chickens were happy with the scraps 🐓
Great food, great people, great Monday. Clacton, you rock!
Looking for a feel-good gift that actually makes a difference?
Say hello to the FoodCycle merch range 💚
💚 Tote bags that carry kindness
💚 Tees and aprons that spread good vibes
💚 The perfect pressie for your foodie friend, your hosting hero or just yourself (you deserve it)
Every purchase supports our mission to feed communities, fight food waste and tackle loneliness.
Tap the link in bio to shop and gift with purpose.
#FoodCycle #ToteBag #Apron #GiftIddeas #CharityGift
No fresh food? No problem!
To the store cupboard 😁
You need to watch this and see the incredible meal our volunteers produced with store cupboard ingredients and some epic teamwork :-)
Thanks to the Mitcham team for sharing.
☀️ Sandwiches.
👥 Great company.
🌍 A meaningful cause.
It`s National Picnic Week, and what a brilliant moment to make your Big Lunch a picnic.
Lunch outdoors can bring your friends, family, or work team together, boost morale, and raise vital funds to help FoodCycle tackle food waste, hunger, and loneliness.
Keep it simple. Make it count.
Start planning via the link in the bio.
#NationalPicnicWeek
This Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re proud to be part of something that brings people together 💚
At FoodCycle, no one eats alone. Our community meals offer food, conversation and connection because we know a friendly face and a warm plate can go a long way.
🌱 83% of guests feel happier after a meal
🤝 78% feel less lonely
🏘️ 83% feel more part of their community
A shared meal can mean so much more than just food.
It can be friendship.
Support.
A reason to smile.
Let`s tackle loneliness and food waste together.
#LonelinessAwarenessWeek #Community #BetterTogether
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
