A community project set up to help people in need during the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to provide an essential service.
Mickey’s Project, based at St Michael & All Angels Church in Sulgrave, Washington, provides food for people who would otherwise have to choose between eating and heating their homes. It offers a community café, a foodbank, activities for children, and also enables access to other essential services.
The Revd Julie Wing, Rector at St Michael & All Angels, said Mickey’s Place is an essential service during the cost of living crisis.
She explained: “When we set up Mickey’s Project, we realised at the time that a food parcel was not the answer to many of the community’s needs in Sulgrave.
“Micky’s Project is set up as a community café, foodbank, and also gives away fresh produce three times a week. The café relies on donations of a pound per meal, but many people are generous and give much more than that, which allows us to continue with the project.
“We have found that particularly this year, the cost of living crisis has impacted on families to such an extent where they literally have had to face up to eat or heat.”
Julie said the project responds to the needs to the community and works with other organisations to make sure that when necessary, people have access to specialist advice on matters ranging from benefits to drug and alcohol abuse.
She added: “We feel that it is community led and not church led and in that way we have become an absolute must for people here in Sulgrave who depend on us, trust us and use us as a safe space to come and talk to organisations that they would not normally go out and meet.”