Free meals project serves up a big expansion

A project that brings free hot food and friendship to people in South Molton has expanded to other towns.

The Benita Project now offers help in Kingskerswell, Braunton, Ipplepen, North Taunton, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.

Last year the non-profit community interest company served up 6,258 meals to people in need.

Ioni Drake, who founded the project with Mandy Harding, said: "It's sad that there's a need there, but we can fulfill what we can, and we're just so grateful to be able to do what we do."

The Benita Project is also offering free cookery courses and benefits advice.

"We're now working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to give people the right benefit support and helping them fill out forms and things," she said.

"We're also providing birthday boxes, which will be for families that might not have access to funds to provide a birthday party.

"We're really excited to get cracking with this year."

The organisation runs mainly on donations.

"So our meals always remain free but we do say to people if you can donate something it helps us continue our work," said Ms Drake.

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