In the face of rising costs of living, a Christian charity in Greater Manchester is providing a lifeline to families in need. The Message Trust, led by CEO Andy Hawthorne, has established a network of community grocery stores across the country, offering heavily discounted food to those struggling to make ends meet.
The flagship store in Sharston, Manchester, has become a beacon of hope for locals like Beatrice Zulu and Kathleen Roper, who have found the shop’s prices a “massive, massive difference” compared to mainstream supermarkets. “What you’d spend say £20 in the shops, you can get here for £5,” Roper explained, adding that the fresh produce is particularly affordable.
Hawthorne recounted how the idea for the stores emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the charity was delivering food to vulnerable people. “We saw desperate need,” he said, noting that many customers “walk in this place in despair” but “sniff hope” upon seeing the affordable options.
The stores sell donated groceries and items that would otherwise go to landfill, at discounts of up to 75% off regular supermarket prices. In addition to the low-cost food, the charity also provides “wraparound support” through courses on debt management and mental health.
Since the first store opened, the concept has taken off, with the charity now operating 34 similar shops across the country, boasting a total of around 100,000 members. Hawthorne acknowledged that the initiative had “gone a bit nuts” in its rapid growth, but the demand from struggling families is clear.
For Zulu and Roper, the community stores have been a lifeline, helping them keep their household bills down during the cost-of-living crisis. “It’s really, really good and really, really useful,” Zulu said, highlighting the convenience of being able to get all her essentials in one affordable place.
As the economic challenges continue to weigh on British families, the work of The Message Trust and its network of community grocery stores offer a glimmer of hope, empowering those in need to put food on the table and make ends meet.
