COMMUNITY-spirited Scouts have been doing their bit to spread cheer and reduce food waste over the festive season.

The 10th Kendal Scouts gave leftover goodies from their Christmas party to Kendal People's Cafe, as well as donating store cupboard essentials.

The "pay-as-you-feel" cafe, in the Foyer at Blackhall Road, is run by volunteers and turns donated food into nourishing meals.

Senior Scout Ruby Barker said: "Our leader told us all about Kendal People’s Café, so everyone brought in something from home like pasta and tinned stuff. We added this to the food left over from our party and we really hope it helped people to have a great Christmas.”

The cafe opens each Saturday from 10am to 2pm, and management committee member Kate Fernyhough said: "There is a real buzz in the place every Saturday and we are proud to be providing really great food, which would otherwise have been thrown away."

Kate said she was "absolutely delighted" to accept the Scouts' donations, adding: "I’m so glad they are helping the community, reducing food waste and making things that bit better for other people at Christmas.”

Damian Bonsall, the group Scout leader, is also a volunteer at the People's Café. He said: "It is just fantastic that Scouts have been able to help by bringing food for the Christmas lunch hosted by the cafe and which will help people over the Christmas period. Scouts are also doing their bit by reducing food waste, which is what the café is all about.”

Earlier this year 10th Kendal Scouts won the district cookery competition and earned second place in the county contest, judged by celebrity chef Peter Sidwell.

"Food seems to be a recurring theme at 10th Kendal," said Michael Ryan, district commissioner for Kentdale Scouts, adding: "I am so proud of the difference they are making in their local community working in partnership with Kendal People’s Cafe."