On a chilly December morning, a group of dedicated volunteers from the Okehampton Food Bank gathered at the entrance of Waitrose, ready to collect much-needed food donations.
Despite the frigid air nipping at their fingers and toes, the volunteers greeted Waitrose customers with warm smiles and cheerful attitudes.
As shoppers bustled in and out of the store, many paused to listen to the volunteers explain the food collection and how their contributions could make a real difference for families in need this holiday season.
The generosity of the Waitrose customers was truly heartwarming – they donated bag after bag of non-perishable food items, as well as a wonderful selection of Christmas foods which mean so much at this time of year. The collection also raised cash donations which will be used to stock up on baby foods, milk, nappies and baby wipes all of which are an extra burden for those on very tight budgets.
The collection trolleys quickly filled up as the morning went on. The Waitrose partners were also incredibly supportive, offering the volunteers hot cups of coffee and making sure they had everything needed for a successful food drive.
It was inspiring to see the community come together in the spirit of giving, ensuring that no one would go hungry this Christmas.
What’s in a name?
Mr Waite Mr Rose and Mr Taylor opened a small grocery shop at 263 Acton Hill, London.
Wallace Wyndham Waite was born in 1881, the son of a successful civil engineer until an unexplained change in family circumstances meant that Wallace had to earn his own living when he was only 11 years old. Wallace was apprenticed to a grocer in Pontypool on the day before his 13th birthday. It was a three year apprenticeship, “living in” over the shop and away from his family.
By 1904
Mr Waite was working in London and determined to have his own business, and with Arthur Rose and David Taylor, he opened a shop in Acton. The London district of Acton was a rapidly growing middle-class residential area, and in 1903 a shopping parade was built on Acton Hill. The three businessmen together rented 263 Acton High Street from local businessman Charles Oliver Hicks.
Rose was the company secretary and accountant, Waite was the grocer, and Taylor was probably the first of a series of managers. David Taylor left the business in 1906 and in 1908, Waite and Rose formed a private limited company, coining the name “Waitrose” from their own surnames. In 1923-4 Mr Rose withdrew from the business, after a period of ill-health.
(Ref: https://waitrosememorystore.org.uk/content/about/first_time_visitors_tour/waite-rose-and-taylor)