Hi my name is Vicky and I’m one of the volunteer project leaders for Foodcycle at St Aidan’s church, Harehills, Leeds.

Every Thursday, we cook and serve a three course meal to our community from food that would otherwise go to landfill. The host team make sure to eat with the guests and encourage people to talk. It’s not a foodbank. No referral is needed, all are welcome. Any surplus food, our guests can take home.

As a team of volunteers we’ve built something really amazing. Most guests are regulars, the whole diversity of our community is represented and friendships have been made among the guests, and also among the volunteers. We are a family.

In a world that sometimes feels hopelessly divided, it’s a spark of light.

On the 18 December, it’s our Christmas meal. We want to make it special, to decorate the hall, have some properly posh scran, and send everyone home with a bag for life full of staple foods and treats so no one has to worry about dinner while we’re shut for two weeks.

Times are tough but if you have anything to spare, we promise we will use it wisely