KIND-HEARTED shoppers can help those struggling by buying vouchers for those in need at a community bakery

Customers at CommuniBakes, based in Shirley, can buy pre-pay vouchers which are put on the wall and people in need can cash them in at the till.

The vouchers can be collected by anyone who needs them and at the end of the month, any unclaimed vouchers are collected and given to the Communicare charity, which are then dispersed to the service users in the community.

The bakery, previously known as Love Cake, was purchased to help raise funds for Communicare when it was purchased in November 2021 and is the commercial arm of Communicare but is a separate limited company.

The vouchers can be used for bread, cakes and other sweet or savoury treats that are available.

CommuniBakes is not making a profit on the bakes and vouchers that are sold, and instead all money will be sent to the Communicare charity.

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Ally Molyneaux, Bakery manager at the bakery, said: “We know times are tough for many people out there, so those more fortunate than others can do their bit to help their neighbours in the community, who might be struggling.”

“It is such a lovely idea, and we hope more people pop in and purchase a voucher along with their usual weekly bread or cake order, or their daily cup of coffee, filled lunch roll or elevenses sweet treat. It is a great way for people to do their bit and it’s a very rewarding feeling knowing you have helped someone who is really struggling for food at the moment.”

Communicare is a neighbourhood charity provides services for isolated people in and around Southampton and is ran by volunteers who are known as Communiteers who give their time to help those in need and was established in 1991 by Shirley Baptist Church.

The bakery is at 21 St James Road, in Shirley.