Percent for Good is a charity designed to make regularly donating – either directly or via Payroll Giving – as simple as possible for professionals. Founded by Mark Lyttleton, the organisation has several carefully curated Cause Portfolios, enabling givers to support the causes that matter to them most.
One of these is the Cost of Living Crisis Portfolio that includes FoodCycle, a charity that aims to bring people together for conversation and food, using healthy ingredients that would have otherwise gone to waste.
A Positive Cycle of Change
FoodCycle’s meals are open to everyone, free, nourishing and prepared by volunteers, with the charity committed to creating a positive cycle of change. The charity aims to reduce both hunger and food waste, support mental health, tackle loneliness, and encourage sustainable living and healthy eating.
To date, FoodCycle has saved 349 tonnes of food from going to waste, with volunteers donating over 180,000 hours of their time. Furthermore, 88% of the charity’s guests say that, by participating in the project, they’ve met people from different backgrounds.
Community Dining
For FoodCycle, community dining is about sharing a tasty, free meal with others in warm surroundings, with local volunteers preparing wholesome vegetarian dishes using food that would have otherwise been thrown away. It’s also about nourishing minds and providing spaces to meet new friends, chat and feel part of something. Everyone is welcome to FoodCycle’s community dining sessions, regardless of their background, identity or faith.
School Community Meals
Partnering with schools across the West Midlands and London, FoodCycle is now providing free after-school meals for both children and their families. These meals are helping to build stronger connections between schools and families, promote a sense of belonging and social interaction, and enable children to discover healthy new foods. As well as being free, no referral is required to access meals, and children attending the school can invite as many family members as they like.
Sourcing Sustainable Food
FoodCycle works with small independent markets and grocery shops and supermarkets to source edible surplus food in a responsible, safe way. The charity reclaims fresh fruit and vegetables and purchases additional ingredients (such as spices and dried food) to create balanced, nutritious meals. By serving meat-free food, FoodCycle’s meals are accessible to those from all religions and cultures.
Volunteering with FoodCycle
There are lots of ways for potential volunteers to get involved with FoodCycle. As well as cooking roles, the charity is also looking for people to wash dishes, chat with guests and generally help run the sessions. Volunteers could also consider fundraising or becoming a food collection volunteer.