Ambassador for a happier earth

The Jericho Pantry project was set up with support from the Jericho Community Association, together with St Barnabas Church, more than two  years ago. Dr Sâmân Jamshidifard, Lecturer and Module leader on the Pathways programme at Brookes Business School, created the project to use up surplus food and leads it with an inspirational energy. It has now expanded to making curry with surplus veg and a dedicated band of volunteers set it up every Tuesday ( 5.30pm) in the Community Centre.  It has saved an average of 500kg of surplus food a week. Other projects have followed under the #HeartyEarth tag including the Oxford City Larder held in the West Oxford Community Centre on Fridays.

#HeartyEarth was recently shortlisted for the Oxford Climate Awards and Sâmân and three volunteers attended the presentation ceremony in the Town Hall on 17th September.

Sâmân has established  #HeartyEarth #aspire2inspire Community Ambassadors which celebrates the contribution of volunteers.  Lord Mayor Mark Lygo and other local councillors support  this initiative and attend a monthly talk and presentation of the award at the West Oxford Community Centre.

Earlier this month the #HeartyEarth Community Ambassadors Award was given to Charlotte Christie for her Service as Trustee of the Jericho Community Association (and Chair for 23 years) , the Jericho Wharf Trust, and the Hill End Outdoor Education Trust .

Mark Lygo presented Charlotte with a Community Ambassadors Certificate, sponsored by Minuteman Press, cup cakes from Happy Cakes and a voucher for Shiraz Persian restaurant.