A difficult year.
Undoubtedly, 2024 is a year that some of us would like to erase from our memories. It’s easy to get caught up by the negative in times of struggle, but eventually, we must pick ourselves up and carry on.
The volunteers exemplified this spirit by diving into the work that needed to be done. As I reflected on our journey since July, I was amazed at how much we’ve accomplished together with the help of countless individuals in our community.
An encouraging list
- When we were closed by the Baptist Church in July last year, not one of our volunteers left us. They all remained to carry on the important work that the food bank began in 2008.
- We maintain close links with our primary referral agencies and have had many new professional bodies and charities refer their clients to us.
- Thanks to a kind benefactor, the Okement Centre room is paid for a year in advance. The new site is preferable to the church shop because, it’s closer to Lidl and Waitrose, provides a more private atmosphere for families visiting us, and is shared with various other charities that partner with the Food Bank.
- The Okement centre provided a permanent storage room.
- One particular donor very kindly gave us a fridge and freezer as well as a £300 donation which enabled us to reopen.
- Two £500 donations were made into the new foodbank bank account in July/August which enables us to fully stock our fridge with dairy and eggs.
- A new phone was set up and paid for by one of our donors.
- We received funding to continue with our website.
- Three volunteers stepped up to take over the roles of Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.