Welcome to Full Bellies Not Full Bins

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

VR Experience Wales is run as funding source for our South Wales (CCG) Constituted Community Group named (Full Bellies not Full Bins).

Full Bellies not Full Bins is a Not-For-Profit Organization (NFPO) a group of people in the south wales valleys that rescue food from supermarkets and distribute these items to people in need. Also we distribute food on a Thursday all day in the Treowen Village hall or Treowen Community Center.

So booking a session with us first off provides funds so we can collect items from the supermarkets and distribute these items to help the needy. Second provides funds for community centers in the South Wales Valley. Thanks for all your support!

Our Story

Food rescue: what is it?
It is the practice of collecting fresh, edible food that would have otherwise gone to waste from our local grocers, and distributing it to our local community.
We have found this is an extremely effective process because it simultaneously gets food to those who need it most and reduces food waste, minimizing the amount of toxic emissions from food waste in landfills.

Do you know how food waste affects our environment?
Food waste is an environmental crisis because of its' devastating impact on climate change. Right now, food waste is contributing 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Why is this? you ask.
Because food that ends up in landfills and decomposes releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas that is at least 28 times more potent than CO2!!
So by Full Bellies Not Full Bins recovering this 'would-be' wasted fresh food and distributing it for a small donation from recipients, taking a huge bite ( pun intended )out of the stress and burden of those struggling with food poverty, coincidentally helping the environment.

How does it work?
When a food recovery opportunity occurs, our volunteers then self-schedule to pick up the food from the donor and deliver it directly to our local point for the public to come by and collect thereby serving the community.

Why are we unique?
We are members of the community that we serve. We use our own personal vehicles to transport food and engage directly with our partner agencies, sharing with them the results of their efforts as well. This makes it possible for us to connect with other local residents who may never encounter each other giving families the resources they need to serve themselves, increasing awareness and deepening their commitment and sense of belonging to the world.

What we do.

Full Bellies Not Full Bins have been rescuing food from several local supermarkets since January 2019 . We have families coming in from Blackwood, Newbridge, Cwmcarn, Abercarn and Risca. We have helped single mothers who have lost their employment due to Covid to the elderly who have not been able to get out to stores. I have witnessed neighbors helping neighbors and one young father who would make a care package out of our food rescue and drop it on his neighbors doorstep for them to find in the morning. Our is different from a food bank. It is a rescue which makes our visitors feel they are contributing to reducing waste and saving good food from going into landfill. I would like to be able to put together tinned items,soaps,toiletries,basics,staple items. We would bag them and deliver to local community members if needed or give out on our normal evening food rescue.

Check out our rescue in action.