Alton Community Cupboard

31/10/2026

AAAAAAND THE WINNING NUMBER IS...

37 !!

Yup, there are 37 pumpkins in the Alton Community Cupboard window!

Huge congratulations to Alison who was the ONLY person to guess/count them all!! We'll be in touch! (Or send us a message if you see this... we only have a first name to go by) 🎃

Well done to all of you who were so so close. There were a few 36s and 38s, which means you all spent a good amount of time hunting for those pesky pumpkins! 🎃🎃🎃

Right... better get thinking about Chr... (okay, I'll wait until tomorrow 😆😉)

30/10/2026

PUMPKIN COMPETITION ALERT! A gentle reminder that we will be making the announcement tomorrow as to how many pumpkins there really are in the window of the Alton Community Cupboard! So if you're visiting or passing today (or Saturday 31st in the morning) then have a good look and tell us your guess.

You can either tell a volunteer at the cupboard or send a message via our page Alton Community Cupboard. There are multiple prizes on offer so it's definitely worth a guess!

Clue: so far the guesses have ranged between 5 and 50 and we can tell you that yes, the number IS within this range 😍🎃🤣 (only one guess each, so make it count!)

10/10/2026

COMPETITION TIME!

As the seasons change and the days are growing ever nippier, you may have spotted a distinctly autumnal feel to the Alton Community Cupboard window 🍂

In particular, we have a fair few pumpkin friends who have joined us and, thanks to the wonderful creative work of Dids, Jo and Jenny, most of them are handmade! 🎃 🎃 🎃 (thank you also to Anne and Caroline for some of our extra decorations too!)

But... do you know how many pumpkins there are in total? If you think you do then you may be in for winning a prize! Because yes, you guessed it, we are launching our 'Guess How Many Pumpkins Are In The Community Cupboard Window' competition! (catchy, huh?) 🎃🎃🎃

How to enter:

Step One: go and take a look at the window and count them or make a guess whilst looking very intently at the photo (good luck with that one 😆)

Step Two: either send us a message via Facebook with your guess or tell one of the volunteers next time you are in the cupboard. You could leave a number in the comments below but you may wanna keep your guess secret? Up to you 😍

Step Three: sit tight and wait to hear if you've won a prize!

Notes:

There's no point asking or bribing the volunteers because only one volunteer knows the exact number (and she's been locked away until the end of the competition)

Only 1 guess each!

In the event of multiple correct answers, we will put names in a hat and pull two out at random (yes, there are TWO prizes!)

The winners will be announced on 31st October

Lastly (and hopefully, obviously) please do not attempt to enter the window area!

Good luck everyone! 🎃🍂🎃🍂🎃

12/09/2026

A Cupboarders Call to Action!

Yes, it's nearly pumpkin season and we're on the look out for any handmade or pre-loved pumpkins for our window display. Whether you are clever enough to crochet or knit, or perhaps you're replacing display items this year... please spare a thought for us as we'd love to rehome lots of lovely pumpkins!

They don't have to be as pretty as the pictures and maybe this is your sign to try out that pumpkin pattern you've been thinking about 🎃🍂🎃🍂🎃

Note: whilst we can take donations of real pumpkins for the cupboard, we're sticking to pretend ones for the window. Otherwise it gets a bit mushy 😆

Please drop off during opening/sorting hours 10-12ish or ping a message to arrange drop off - thank you! 😊

29/08/2026

We are so lucky to such things on offer. Thank you to Ecostreetsalton and Walk Alton 💕

All walks are free to attend, no previous sign-up necessary. Led by Scott Gudrich, MSc. Walks are slow paced but not fully accessible (uneven, narrow paths). Walks will be rescheduled in case of strong winds or rains, please check our social media for updates. Eco Streets Alton (Facebook, Instagram)

23/08/2026

Okay, so we ended up staying until about 2pm today, but it was so worth it!

Thank you to all the wonderful folks who came to chat, donate and most importantly... to discover new books! We've all gone home for a nap now but we can't wait to see you again soon.

If you picked up a mystery book (or 2!) today, please let us know what you got, especially if you love it 🤣😍📚🎊💕

23/08/2026

TODAY IS BOOK CUPBOARD DAY!

Sunday 23rd August 11ish - 1ish on the High Street, Alton (outside the community cupboard/superdrug)

A few of us will be out by about 11am this morning with a wide selection of wrapped books available for a small donation (bring a quid! No card machine!)

As always, there's a gift tag with a small hint as to the genre and content of the book, but it's a bit of a mystery until you unwrap it!

So you can gift yourself or a chum the happiness of a book to unwrap for as little as a singular pound! Plus, as always, there will be freebies with each book! 🥳🥰🦄🎶🎊

Let's raise some money for the community cupboard AND bag a new read. Today. In the High Street. Come and find us... we love to chat books 📚 💕😎🎁

11/08/2026

REALLY IMPORTANT!

Wednesday 12th August revised opening time 😎

Due to the utterly doolally temperatures this week, we are going to open tomorrow between 11-12noon to try and miss the top temperatures (not great for food OR humans!) 🔥🔥🔥

PLEASE only come out if you are okay to do so. And please share this information!

Photo of a pollen-coated bee's bottom for attention purposes only 💕🌞🐝🌼🌸

10/07/2026

UPDATE: all food has gone and thank you to all the understanding customers ❤️

Friday notice!

Due to extreme temperatures making it very uncomfortable at Alton Community Cupboard we are handing out food now (message received at 9.45am)

Please note that we won't be able to respond to messages so can't tell you when food will be gone by etc.

On days like today we just need to get the food, customers and our volunteers out before it's a furnace 🔥

Thank you for your understanding 🙏

06/07/2026

Those visiting the cupboard in the last few weeks may have noticed a distinct upgrade to the flooring and we'd like to say a huge thank you to Resurrection Furniture for the grant that has allowed us to brighten up the space (and make it less slippery!).

Additionally, a big thank you to Browns of Alton for all their help in sourcing and laying the flooring. We couldn't have done it without you!

Obviously, flooring of this nature comes with its own challenges in a food area so we ask all customers to be extra vigilant when it comes to food spillages. Together let's keep it lovely 😍

Wishing you all a cool and comfortable week in the sunshine 🌞