OFFERING hope in uncertain times, a project has been set up in Dorchester to deliver food to people self-isolating or facing hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Dorchester Community Kitchen has been set up by three residents with growing support from volunteers and will provide food to vulnerable people in Dorchester and surrounding villages on a 'pay what you can' basis.

Established just days ago, group has rapidly received the backing of the Storehouse Church on Cambridge Road, where the kitchen will be based.

It will supply food parcels to anyone in hardship who is not already receiving support from a food bank – with the group quick to add that it isn't intended to replace the food bank.

One of the founders of Dorchester Community Kitchen, Sinead Coakley McCarney, said the aim is to help those who are elderly, isolated or disabled, and families facing poverty if they are unable to work due to the virus.

Sinead said: "This is a something I've wanted to do for a while, to help people who for whatever reason find themselves in short-term hardship.

"Our first priority is to provide food parcels to people who are caring for someone who is vulnerable, which we will assess via our mailing list. But we will support anyone who needs us, nobody will be asked to prove their circumstances.

"There's a real fear that if the country goes into lockdown, many of us will suddenly find ourselves in financial difficulty. We want to help vulnerable people by removing the burden of the food budget."

The project has been jointly organised with Mark Watson of Dorset Carers Hub and Mark Topp, Storehouse church pastor.

Around 25 volunteers have come forward so far, and more people are encouraged to sign up.

The community kitchen will donate any surplus food to the town's food bank, and residents are encouraged to continue donating to the food bank, which continues to serve those with food bank vouchers.

To offer or request help, find 'Dorchester Community Kitchen' on Facebook.

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