This year’s heatwave hasn’t dulled the incredible generosity of individuals and communities in East Grinstead. Thanks to some incredible support, the Foodbank had a bumper weekend to start July! With all this help, we were able to launch our Summer Holiday bags scheme, which will distribute 100 bags of food to families who need support in Mid-Sussex.
A large contingent of volunteers gave their time at the Foodbank on Friday May 31 to pack our Summer Holiday bags. Special thanks to our Warehouse manager James who bought his family along to help out. We were also extremely grateful for the support of two employees at Cardinus, an East Grinstead based risk-consultancy, who gave up their time to pack bags with us!
(Our excellent team of packers at the Foodbank this weekend. Photo: James Hennessy)
This excellent work isn’t possible however without the support of donors, and we’d like to thank those who gave generously at our fundraising day at Waitrose on Saturday July 1. It was a busy day at the supermarket, and we estimate a footfall of over 1,500 people. With their help, we collected an incredible 543.9 kilos of food! Thank you to Waitrose and their staff for allowing us to collect, and thanks to our volunteers on-the-day James, Lucy, Karen, Liz and Amanda.
The Trussell Trust attribute a higher demand for foodbanks in the summer to the difficulties families face in feeding their children in the holidays. According to the charity, two in five parents worry about the extra costs of childcare during the break, and one in five parents will skip meals due to money getting tight. The Summer Bags scheme therefore is incredibly important in supporting families in crisis in Mid-Sussex. Thanks to your continued generous help, we have packed 100 bags, each with 9.3 kilos of food, which will be distributed to 11 local participating schools.
We rely on your generous help. Take a look at our shopping list to find out how to donate. As always, we are incredible grateful for all your support.
Want to learn more about our work? Read out 2016 Review
If you are in crisis; we want to help. Find out how we can support you here.
