Second Helpings

We Use food that would have gone to waste- To feed people regardless of ability to pay

Second Helpings is a project of the Stamford Methodist church to reduce food waste from local sources that would be sent to landfill using it to serve the needs of the community. It is run on a pay as you feel basis by a team of volunteers distributing the food and cooking meals 4 - 5 days a week.

Established in 2015, Second Helpings, Stamford, aims to reduce food waste by using food gifted from local sources that would otherwise go to landfill. Both our café including cooking of take away meals whilst cafe closed and bunker/ shop are run by volunteers on a Pay-as-you-Feel basis, serving the needs of local people from all walks of life regardless of the ability to pay.

Part of the national Real Junk Food Project, Second Helpings has grown rapidly, always focused on stopping society’s surplus food from going to waste. The Saturday lunchtime cafe in Barn Hill, Stamford, when open feeds around 100 people per week, providing an inclusive environment where people come together to eat, chat and make friends. During COVID take away meals were cooked and distributed to support those struggling in difficult times. Every mouth fed results in less landfill. There’s one key objective: “Feed Bellies not Bins”.

Donations are used to support our operational costs, which over recent times have increased, particularly packaging of food and Utility costs.