A COMMUNITY Larder at Exminster Methodist Church now has a new weatherproof home thanks to a £200 grant from Exminster Parish Council.

The money has enabled local health and wellbeing charity Westbank, which runs the larder, to purchase the waterproof unit so it is available 24/7.

To mark the official opening of the facility, the village’s Methodist minister, Reverend Donna Leigh, conducted a blessing in the presence of a representative of Exminster Parish Council and Westbank’s Head of Voluntary and Community Services.

In 2025/2026, Westbank supported more than 1,200 attendances across its three community larders - in the centre of Exminster Village, at the charity’s Healthy Living Centre in Exminster and in the neighbouring village of Starcross.

The larders are stocked through generous donations from members of the community, Exeter Food Action and by several suppliers, including Fareshare and supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury as part of the Neighbourly partnership.

Chairman of the parish council, Cllr. Kevin Smith said: ‘Exminster Parish Council was delighted to give Westbank Community Health and Care a grant so that the charity could continue to offer a community larder in the centre of Exminster that’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

‘This will provide essential support to Exminster residents who are in need.’

Sarah Benthall, Westbank’s Head of Voluntary and Community Services, said: ‘Our Community Larders are open to everyone.

‘Thanks to the parish council’s support, the larder beside the Methodist Church in the centre of Exminster is now open every day for people to help themselves to provisions.

‘Our other two larders are staffed by our amazing volunteers, who are on hand to offer assistance at the Healthy Living Centre, Monday to Friday from 10-4, and in Starcross every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

‘Demand for our larders continues to increase, and we are actively seeking further support with monetary donations and regular donations of food very gratefully received and help us continue to support our community.’