Coexist Kitchen's fundraiser a 'warm hug for the community'

The Coexist Community Kitchen in Bristol is cooking up more than just meals with its winter fundraisers ‘Unity Through Food’.

The campaign aims to raise £25,000 by mid-December to continue its essential work throughout 2025, with every donation being doubled thanks to the Aviva Community Fund. Donations have already reached more than £12,000.

Through its free and subsidised cooking programmes, the Community Kitchen in Easton supports people facing challenges such as mental health issues, food insecurity, alcohol or drug misuse, and people seeking asylum.

Coexist is dedicated to fostering connections, empowering individuals, and providing a safe space for healing and growth – all through the power of food. In addition to free and subsidised cooking classes, the kitchen runs Community Meals, offering 180 nutritious meals weekly to those in need and hosts free Monthly Meals at the Kitchen that are open to all.

In light of recent challenges, particularly following a summer of racial unrest and protests, the Coexist team believes this campaign will do more than raise funds—it will send a powerful message of unity, celebrating diversity, and creating positive connections through shared food experiences.

“We want this fundraiser to feel like a giant, heartwarming hug for our community,” says Becky Millington, fundraising lead at Coexist Community Kitchen.

“It’s not just about raising money—it’s about coming together through the power of food, supporting one another, and celebrating the richness of our diversity. Around the dinner table, we can find common ground, share stories, and create something beautiful. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help us keep building a stronger, healthier, and more joyful community.”

Funds raised through this Crowdfunder will support Coexist’s work to provide free and subsidised cooking classes, workshops and programmes; a Community Meals service to hundreds of people facing food insecurity in Bristol and hosting free Monthly Meals for all.

Although the initial goal is £25,000, the team are hopeful about reaching their £50,000 stretch target, which would enable them to: Complete their new catering kitchen, expanding capacity for professional catering contracts that directly fund the community work; provide training and job opportunities for individuals who have participated in their cooking courses, offering them paid work and valuable experience; support entrepreneurial chefs from their ACE (Accelerated Cooking & Entrepreneurship) course to gain experience and confidence to start their own food ventures.

To learn more or to donate, visit the Crowdfunder page.