Friday 13^th December was definitely lucky for some as it saw the launch of Alton’s Community Cupboard. Penney Hames and her team have excelled themselves getting this show on the road in just 6 weeks since Lucy Lomax of Petersfield’s Free Food Friday scheme came to talk at an Energy Alton public meeting in early November.

The first surplus food donation was collected from Aldi on the Friday morning and was available for all comers at the Scout Hut in Anstey Park later that day and, despite the short notice and minimal advertising, it was all gone in no time. Since then Waitrose has also started to make food available to us and we hope to go from strength to strength in the new year.

Friday 13^th December was lucky for another reason as that was when we heard The Alton Herald has agreed to allow ACAN to have a regular column. Philippa Brealey, Sheila John and Sonia Davey of ACAN’s lobbying group have all agreed to share this task and we look forward very much to reading their first piece in January 2020.