AN AWARD-WINNING community project will be providing free food for people who are struggling this festive season.

Project Donate it, Don’t Dump it — DIDDI for short — is part of the Free Food for Sandown initiative, allowing visitors to Sandown train station to receive a range of fruit, vegetables, bread and cakes for free, with a donation kitchen now open at the station's Gaslight Café, offering soup, various meals and cake.

The café allows visitors to pay what they can afford, with the philosophy that if they can't afford to pay, they won't be turned away.

The scheme is aimed at helping the homeless, needy and vulnerable in surrounding communities.

All work is done by volunteers, with donations going towards the continued running of the project, assisting with funds for meat, tea, coffee, milk, sugar, gas and electric.

The group have additionally received a contract to supply free food in Ventnor through Co-op donations of end of day food.

Project DIDDI founder, Dott Perrett, said: “The project began when I started working with Aspire a couple of years ago and realised that areas such as Shanklin and Sandown had no access to free food. I wanted to help people on this side of the Island.

“We have arranged for a free three-course Christmas lunch for 30 people in the community on December 15, with funding kindly provided by the Co-op and Tesco, and Christmas presents by Wight Fibre.

“The help and support that we have received from these companies, along with our amazing volunteers, has allowed us to continue to provide this service. We hope it brings some happiness into people’s lives during a season that can prove difficult for many.”

To find out more or donate, phone Dott on 07849 714689.

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