WESTBURY’S community fridge which closed throughout the pandemic has reopened – while the Mustang Close Kindness Cupboard has shut its doors.
The fridge which holds donated food for anyone who needs it is now based at Westbury Community Project in Eden Vale Road.
It is open on Mondays, from 10am to 12pm and from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, and on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
All are welcome to collect surplus food.
The facility closed in March 2020 under advice from HUBBUB which runs the community fridges network, and Westbury Town Council which provided food packages for residents in need.
The fridge is run by Westbury Area Network and a second fridge could be in the pipeline after Westbury Town Council approved funding for it.
The Kindness Cupboard was a mini food bank set up by Mustang Close resident Natalie Edwards in October 2020.
Natalie told White Horse News at the time, “I wanted to help people during the lockdown and restrictions – people on furlough, with children, carers, anyone that might be struggling.
“And I wanted to make it more accessible than a foodbank, which are normally open during working hours – and there can be a stigma attached to using foodbank, especially if you have never had to use one.”
The cupboard was open 24 hours a day and was also replaced with a new model after it became weather beaten. It became very popular, with lots of people using it, and some telling Natalie they had used it to collect food items, like tins of soup, for their elderly neighbours.
But now restrictions are being lifted and life is becoming more normal, Natalie says, “The cupboard is hardly being used – which is great! So it’s time to say goodbye for now.
“I’d like to thank Jane, Mel Griggs and everyone who has donated to keep this little scheme going for our wonderful community during lockdown… you’re all stars.
“And I really do hope it has helped.”
