A SCHEME that helps fight hunger and food waste could be expanded.

The FareShare scheme is run through town-based charity Furniture Helpline, which has its headquarters in Bordon.

The award winning UK charity rescues good food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to people who need it.

A meeting has taken place with the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company about a rent reduction and plans are in place to add a showroom element to the current premises which will provide more room.

Councillor Yvonne Parker Smith, a district councillor for East Hampshire District Council, based in Lindford, is a big supporter of the scheme.

She said: “I waste very little food but I think there is a lot of food waste.

“This is about raising awareness. People don’t realise what a lot of waste there is. FareShare distribute food to the local hubs which here is Furniture Helpline and then it is distributed locally.

“I support anything that helps people who are not that well off and who are struggling.”

FareShare provides in-date food from supermarkets, manufacturers and other providers that would have ended up in landfill.

The food is taken to 12 local organisations such as lunch clubs, food banks and day centres, including Vokes Lunch Club, Grayshott Day Centre and Bordon Garrison pre-school and Creche.

Meanwhile, Furniture Helpline supports the community by helping people on low incomes or in crisis situations. It provides free and affordable household furniture and white goods, which also reduces items from going to landfill.

The charity runs a workshop which is funded by Hampshire County Council to allow woodworking enthusiasts to repair furniture or work on their own projects.

At the moment it is being used just one day a week by the Woolmer Men’s Shed but anyone who wants to potter, create or upcycle is welcome to join in. The charity is looking for people who can volunteer at the warehouse for an hour or two, assembling donated flat pack furniture, re-building items for display or restoring old furniture.

Operations manager Diane Page said: “We always welcome people willing to join our busy team in Bordon. The more volunteers we have the more we are able to serve the community.” Visit www.furniturehelpline.co.uk for more information.