A VERY BUSY MORNING AT THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE

We knew it would be very busy at the Community Fridge today because it is the last Monday we will be open for a couple of weeks and we weren’t wrong.

As well as all the fruit, vegetables, bread and cakes we had there today, there were lots of jobs to be done before the Community Fridge opened at 11 o’clock.  These included bagging up rice, teabags and cakes as well as sorting out the fruit and vegetables that possibly we would use at home by cutting out the parts that weren’t up to standard, but of course, we need to be aware that even though the fruit has been freely given by the supermarkets, it would not be right to offer this to people if it is really soft and going bad - and some of the satsumas and tomatoes were definitely well over-ripe!  

We did manage to get it all sorted out by the time the doors opened and then it was “all hands to the pump” to weigh up the various items chosen by those who came in today, serve coffee, cake and mince pies and then chat to our lovely customers in the café.  

Not only did they have their five free items of food though - today we also had bran tubs - and do you remember them when you had to put your hands down into lots of sawdust to pull out a gift?  Today though, although there was no sawdust, all the gifts were beautifully wrapped by two lovely ladies who actually come into the Community Fridge week by week, but who wanted to “give something back”.   So in appreciation for all the Community Fridge has given to them, offered their services to wrap all the gifts that had been given - see the bottom shot in my collage - and how beautifully they had done that job too.  

Many of those who come into the Community Fridge open up to us when we sit and chat with them, and they almost feel like family now.  Also in the shot is the lady who comes in quite often from Healthwatch Swindon - a Health and Social Care Champion, who is there to help people make their voice and opinions known to NHS leaders and other decision makers.  I had a long chat with her and it is always a pleasure to see her.

There was a lovely buzz in the café this morning and of course, now that most of the schools have broken up for their Christmas holidays, lots of children too, so they had a table where they could do some Christmas colouring and they seemed to be enjoying themselves too.

On the Prayer Table, we had lots of different leaflets telling people about the real meaning of Christmas, and I managed to give these out to quite a number of people.  Some of the people on the table where I was sitting said that they would like to come to the Christingle Service, which is on Christmas Eve at 4 o’clock, so it would be good to see them there.  

During the morning, I spoke to several people who had been bereaved during the last year, and they told me that they were finding it very difficult at this time of year.  I was able to share with them how I found it difficult too as my Mum had died just 3 days before Christmas in 2019, so we had some lovely conversations.  One man said he would be in after Christmas, so I said I would look out for him to find out how he got on.  It is so good to be able to chat to people and to find out just their first names so that at least we can pray for them.  We realise that it will be difficult for some of them knowing that we are closed after Thursday, 22nd until 5th January - so we hope and pray that they will stay safe over the next two weeks and will look forward to welcoming them back.  

I told one group, when they asked if we were open next Monday, that sadly we wouldn’t be but that its was my birthday, so they sang Happy Birthday to me - which was so lovely!  I feel really blessed to share in the lives of these wonderful people - and I pray they will all have a good Christmas and look forward to seeing them in 2023.

Last night, in our Carol Service, we saw a clip from the film, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” which is so true and I hope for all reading this, Christmas may mean more than just presents under the tree.

"Maybe Christmas, he thought, 
     doesn't come from a store. 
          Maybe Christmas... perhaps... 
               means a little bit more!" 
Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas


P.S.  I did have permission to include the photographs of all the ladies in the above shots.