INVITING EVERYONE TO THE TABLE

Walk into any BBF venue and you are greeted with wide smiles, warm space, world-class beer and the smell of incredible freshly-cooked food. For so many Bristolians, going out for dinner and drinks is a regular treat, but for some, it is simply unaffordable.
In 2023/2024, 1 in 12 households in Bristol experienced food insecurity. For these families, putting affordable and nutritious food on the table is a daily challenge. The system is broken and those with the power to make change, are not getting it right. Thankfully, Bristol is full of incredible people that give a s**t. Today, we shine a light on 4 BREWED TO GIVE partners on a mission to ensure everyone in our city has access to fresh, affordable and healthy food.

Hello! Who are you? What’s your involvement with Brewed to Give?
THE COEXIST COMMUNITY KITCHEN is a non-profit cooking school and social space located in the heart of Easton. “Our main aim is to use food as a vehicle to work with people who experience social marginalisation in our society. We believe that everyone should be able to have spaces in which they can share food together, learn and teach skills and create strong connections with others”. Ari Cantwell, CEO. Since May 2023, BBF has donated £2.3k of cost-price stock which has generated more than £10k towards their work.

Redcatch Community Garden brings people together to learn, socialise, share skills and support greater health and wellbeing. “We work with people across the city who are looking to connect with new people, share space and create a sense of home. We work with a lot of people accessing the asylum system, people who are in support for drug and alcohol misuse, young people out of school, young carers and so many more people!” Kate Swain, CEO. Over the last 20 months, BBF has donated beer for their community events, raising £8k to support their weekly activities.

The MAZI Project is a youth-led charity empowering disadvantaged 16-25 year olds through food. “Many of the young people we work with have struggled with neglect, abuse, financial insecurity and the feeling of isolation and loneliness. They have consistently fought against a negative narrative and predominantly come from areas of divestment and system neglect - struggling against a broken welfare system. You’ve donated £4k worth of delicious beers for us to sell which has enabled us to deliver more meal kits. AMAZING” Melanie Vaxevanakis, CEO and Founde

Square Food Foundation are a charity that works to reduce hunger, improve health, and bring people together through food and cooking. BBF recently donated £3.5k through a Big Give campaign, which meant it was doubled to £7k. “All funds raised go straight to our recipe kit programme. It gives local families the ingredients to cook-along with a recipe we provide. They get the shared experience of learning to cook together and the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious, nutritious meal they have made themselves.” Nic White, Operations Manager

What difference does this make to your community? 
“The funds (£10k) we raised through the BBF Brewed to Give scheme has gone in to supporting the running of all our programmes but to give you an idea, £10k could pay for:  
- 30 free community cookery classes with the people we work with including bus passes for people to join us
- 5800 free meals to people and families that we support.
- Almost 10 months of our rent
- A new oven and induction hobs for our new catering space enabling us to offer more work and opportunities to our community” Ari

“We have used money we raised for a range of different community events and sessions. The main thing was to fund one of our most valuable sessions, Art Together, which is an Art Therapy group for people with dementia and their careers. 10 people attend each 2 hr session for 1 year, enabling people to express their emotions in a supported, familiar environment We are proud and grateful to be part of this!” Kate

“Your donation helps us provide 720 recipe kits to local families. Each recipe kit provides a healthy and hearty meal for a family of 4 (so therefore you’re helping us to support 2,880 individuals!). Recipe kits not only provide a meal but also develop cooking skills and confidence.” Nic  

“With your funding we have bought a three-door fridge for our own community kitchen and ingredients and packaging to deliver 375 meal kits and 2250 meals to young people facing food insecurity across the city!” Mel

How would you sum up your Brewed to Give experience?
“…such an incredible support and means we can raise money for our project in the most easeful of ways. We feel so supported by BBF and all the work they do through the city. Keep on doing what you are dooinnnng!!” Ari

“Charity and community organisation are well placed in our communities to support the most vulnerable. The idea of donating products rather than money allows organisations to turn the value of support into something much greater both in terms of finance and social impact.” Kate

“BBF’s Brewed to Give scheme offers vital support to organisations who share the goal of building, supporting and strengthening Bristol’s amazing communities. Thank you so much for choosing to support Square Food Foundation”. Nic

“Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to deliver more meal kits, come together as a community, run our education programmes, and offer immediate help to marginalised young people across Bristol. We love partnering with businesses that share our ethos and care deeply about community. If you’re a Bristol local and a beer lover, go check BBF out! 🫶” Mel