The town of New Galloway organizes a successful fundraising event to purchase a community freezer, aiming to reduce food waste and provide nourishing food to the community.
New Galloway Raises Funds for Community Freezer to Reduce Food Waste
( Credit to: Dgwgo )
The town of New Galloway has come together to launch a fundraising appeal in order to purchase a community freezer. The initiative aims to reduce local food waste and provide nourishing food to the community. The fundraising event, organized by Local Initiatives for New Galloway (LING), was held at the historic Town Hall and was a great success, raising over £600.
The event, which took place at the end of January, attracted a large turnout. Attendees enjoyed hot drinks, homemade baked goods, and had the opportunity to browse a second-hand book sale. A raffle was also held, featuring prizes donated by local food-related businesses. Among the donors were the Galloway Food Hub, Balmaclellan Store, West Coast Sea Products, and more. The event aimed to raise awareness about the issue of food waste, with one-third of all food being thrown away each year in the UK, resulting in 9.5 million tonnes of waste annually. The event concluded with an edibility quiz, with one lucky winner taking home a bag of vegetables and loaves of pumpkin bread.
Community Freezer to Combat Food Waste
The community freezer will be installed in an accessible room at New Galloway Town Hall. It will be stocked with portions of homecooked meals and other frozen items donated by individuals and businesses. The aim is to make these items available to anyone in the community who may be in need. The initiative is part of LING's ongoing efforts to increase community connectivity by fostering skill-sharing, social gatherings, and providing practical support to local residents.
LING's Commitment to Community Development
This fundraising event was the latest in a series of public events organized by LING. The events have been held as part of a busy winter program following the reopening of the Town Hall in October 2023. The Town Hall, which is Scotland's smallest Royal Burgh, underwent renovations for eighteen months before being returned to its historic position as the central hub of the community. LING, a registered Scottish charity, took over the town hall from Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2022.
Barbara Barker, Chair of LING, expressed her gratitude for the community's support. She stated, "As Local Initiatives in New Galloway, our mission is to support a thriving community, which includes promoting well-being and accessibility to essentials such as warmth, companionship, and good food. We are thrilled to see the overwhelming support from the people of New Galloway who donated to our freezer fund and participated in this fantastic community event. LING Trustees and our amazing team of volunteers are excited to continue developing the community food initiative in New Galloway throughout 2024 and beyond."
New Galloway Town Hall: A Community Hub
New Galloway Town Hall offers a wide range of classes and activities for the community. These include indoor sports, sustainability workshops, and regular "food and friendship" community socials. The hall is also available for public and private events. To learn more about the town hall and its offerings, visit www.newgallowaytownhall.com or email [email protected]