A new Community Grocery initiative opening in Darlington in the coming weeks is looking for volunteers - do you want to get involved?

The Baptist Church Centre on Corporation Road will be home to the town's newest community initiative, which will be launched on December 3 and is designed to support families in need.

This latest grocery initiative will be the seventh in the North East - as locations are already open in Middlesbrough, Ragworth, Hartlepool, and Redcar to name a few. 

According to their site, a typical shop can include a bakery item, canned, freezer and fresh fruit and veg.

Kate Ruddick, who works for the Manchester-based organisation told The Northern Echo that the purpose of the stores is to act as a halfway point between a shop and a food bank.

She said: "It all started back in 2020 - we noticed that when people were coming out of lockdown they were really struggling. 

"We repurposed some space and started the first community grocery. It's not means tested - if people are struggling to put food on the table, the stores act as a bridge between food banks and the supermarket.

"Members can come along, sign up for £5 per year and they can shop in store. For a £5, people can get 12 items and choose themselves what they would like."

Kate added that this is the key difference between the Community Grocery and food banks - customers are given the agency to pick which items they would like rather than getting a package.

She added: "Darlington will be the 27th store we've opened - and we are keeping 65,000 families fed a week.

"We have had people saying they didn't know where their next meal would come from due to the cost of living crisis.

"Our service is a lifeline for people struggling to put food on the table."

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Launching their social media page, bosses previously wrote: "Introducing the Darlington Community Grocery - opening December 3!

"At the Community Grocery, we're here to keep families fed and offer people the support they need. With access to five shops a week, you can buy food for your whole family from just £5 a shop.

"We can't wait to open the doors and get to know you very soon! Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what's happening at Community Grocery Darlington."