Page 32 - link magazine

32 The Link Magazine • April 1999
Hot Plates: innovation in feeding the less well off

A West Swindon based charity, already attracting interest from as far afield as India and Zambia, is seeking funding to enable it to
establish a national food voucher network.
Hot Plates was set up in 1994 by tions such as the West Swindon For the scheme to work, Hot Church and other community or-
David Edgecumbe from Grange Family and Community Project, Plates spends considerable time ganisations. New funding is now
Park and Julian Kay, with support Homestart and The Filling Station, developing good relationships needed to enable the scheme to
from their wives. "Our aim is to Hot Plates is able to distribute with outlets prepared to take the grow towards its vision of a na-
facilitate the work of local commu- vouchers to the people who need vouchers. It is vital that they un- tional network. Given the current
nity organisations and churches in them most. These include families derstand and accept that voucher overseas interest, it could also be-
providing for those on a low in- on low incomes, the elderly strug- holders may well be under extreme come the inspiration for similar
come or in personal difficulty, gling on meagre pensions, the pressure and that some, because projects worldwide.
through a growing national food homeless and people faced by sud- of their circumstances, may not be If you can support Hot Plates,
voucher scheme," said Mr den illness or other crises. An oc- the cleanest of customers. through funding or being an out-
Edgecumbe, who now acts in a casional treat of fish and chips for In West Swindon, Freshbrook let for them, contact Project Man-
voluntary capacity as project man- the family of a man fighting de- Takeaway and The Trawlerman ager David Edgecumbe on 881611
ager. pression, or a meal voucher for already participate, but new out- or Administrator Linda Emery on
"Because the vouchers are only someone struggling to come to lets are always needed. 525676.
valid for food and are non-trans- terms with homelessness, can pro- In its first year, Hot Plates is- www.cablenet.net/ —hotplates
ferable, the scheme offers a simple vide a lifeline. sued 468 £2 vouchers to people in
but effective way of ensuring that Hot Plates vouchers are very se- West Swindon. This figure has Vacancy
an individual or family receives a cure and not easily abused. Each risen to thousands, spreading Due to the success of Hot Plates,
good, hot meal." voucher is countersigned by the throughout Swindon and to areas the charity is looking for a part
The charity grew out of the re- distributor, who also writes the of London. It has so far been time adminstrator. Initially this is
alisation that, despite Britain's rela- recipient's name or national insur- funded by grants from local busi- for 8 hours a week, but this is likely
tive affluence, there are still many ance number. When the voucher nesses such as Burmah Castrol, to increase as the work of charity
who struggle to make ends meet. is cashed, this must be matched by Allied Dunbar, Reader's Digest develops. For details, call David
By working closely with organisa- identification. and GWR; with support from the Edgecumbe on 881611.

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