Support for Darlington Baptist Church community grocery

A community grocery store, which supports people shopping on a budget in Darlington, is the latest recipient of Be the Change support from Teesside University.

Staff across Teesside University can donate the spare pennies from their monthly salaries to Be the Change, to help provide grants to local organisations which are nominated by contributors.

Donations of £500 are now being made to the latest recipients Darlington Baptist Church community grocery store, Middlesbrough Foodbank, and Autism Parents Together.

The community grocery store in Darlington, based in Corporation Road, is run in partnership by Christian charity The Message Trust and Darlington Baptist Church.

The store, which opens weekdays, sells surplus foods and items from retailers at a lower cost. It is aimed at individuals and families across Darlington who are on a tight budget by helping to provide affordable food options.

The community grocery stocks a range of tinned foods, fruit and vegetables and a range of household items. Stock includes items donated by partners such as supermarket chains, Neil Brumby, who manages the store, said: “Our aim is to help and support people in need and shopping on a budget, while also helping to reduce food waste.

“Some of the food items are close to, or just past their best before dates, and otherwise might have just been thrown away. Our stock changes regularly and is constantly updated.

“We’re able to offer some items which are heavily discounted, when compared to big retailers, and we also offer a range of free items too. Members pay £5 annual membership and can then come in to do their shopping.”

Members are also able to access information and support on areas as diverse as cooking and debt management.

Tony Cotterill, Darlington Baptist Church trustee, said: “The church provides the space for the grocery store, and we also cover the cost of staffing. We also provide services such as courses offering support in a range of areas, along with a bike group, to help provide local families access to cycles.”

Louise Morris, who is based at Teesside University as People and Places Officer with Tees Valley Sport, put forward the Be the Change nomination for Darlington Baptist Church community grocery store.

Louise said: “I put forward the nomination to Be the Change as I saw how much the church does to support and help local people in the community.”

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