Chef Pete has been able to provide the visitors with an excellent 32 different meals over his first 8 weeks. Pete has a hotel cheffing background and is very popular with the attendees regularly socializing with the members after cooking.
OCK are optimistic about the opportunity to begin to sell their frozen food to local independent living complexes, they hope to be able to provide a further 150 meals through this service. Selling their frozen dishes is expected to generate funds to subsidize the charity. This will develop the charity's ability to trade, support their activity and grow awareness of their offering.
Positive feedback has been received by OCK as they hear that some members reported eating OCK food correlates with weight loss, allowing them to enjoy a healthier lifestyle in addition to reducing isolation.
The charity's 50/50 club is a continued success as this month the winner received £320, the charity also received a payment of £320.
A generous donation of £2000 gives the charity the chance to spend on new leaflets and promotional material. They are very grateful to receive this and are able to use this to promote their work within the county. It is expected that the leaflets will detail their new promotions of frozen food and their gardening projects.
OCK have recently seen the return of a volunteer who assists OCK with sourcing shopping, allowing them to provide their regular meals to those who need it.
Collection jars have been made available around Haddington to support the charities goals. Gibson's, and Lewis & Clark in Haddington are among some of those who are collecting for to help reduce isolation in the community.
Local volunteers from Knox Academy assisted in the OCK kitchen, the charity comments that it is great to have younger people getting involved with the charity's objectives.
The OCK growing season will pair up with Meadowpark School for support provided by their students in addition to wider community support.
Within the garden the first daffodils are in and are expected to bloom shortly, this spring.
OCK are very excited to receive their greenhouse in the coming weeks, allowing them to prepare for the upcoming growing season. Following the summer, OCK hope to raise funds for the charity through the sale of excess veg from their garden.
The charity are currently in the search of volunteer fundraisers and will look to organise the fundraising team in the coming weeks. Check out their Facebook page if you are interested in volunteering.