News

Supporting our Community at Christmas

2nd December 2020

Communities work on many levels. Here at Wetherby and District Foodbank, we are one of over 1,200 food bank centres in the Trussell Trust network. This network behaves very much like a community, with each food bank assisting their neighbours as and when extra help or food items are needed. We also collaborate with other food banks, soup kitchens and a whole network of different local charities, all of whom do amazing work, reaching out to people in need.

One such local charity is Wetherby Salvation Army. During the run-up to Christmas each year, Wetherby Salvation Army organises their local Christmas Hamper Appeal. The aim, says Salvation Army Lieutenant, Yvonne West, is to take some of the strain off families who are struggling at what can be a really difficult time of year for many.

Each hamper contains everything you need for a complete Christmas Dinner. From turkey and pigs in blankets to veg and Christmas pudding. Importantly, the hampers also contain toys for children and gifts for adults, along with treats such as festive biscuits, a box of chocolates and a selection box for each child in the household. Treats are important. They add a little festive cheer but also help people in difficult circumstances feel part of the wider community festivities that surround them.

The hampers have always been a family targeted appeal, funded largely through donations from the public and more recently, through a Just Giving fundraising page. Referrals come from a range of community organisations, charities and agencies such as children’s centres, schools, housing teams and us, here at the Foodbank. As Wetherby Salvation Army doesn’t have a local church building of their own, we help by providing some storage space for hamper donations and also support them by providing the tinned and dried goods for the hampers.

In 2018, the hampers reached 110 individuals in our community. In 2019 this dropped to 82 individuals as Yvonne began to see the welcome effects of various agencies having worked with local people on budgeting skills. In recent years, however, there has been a steady increase in hamper requests for elderly people living alone. This year these referrals have already increased significantly, the pandemic putting a stop to the usual community Christmas lunches across the area. Inclusion and dignity are important, regardless of the recipient’s age or circumstances. The hampers are for anyone who is struggling, and great care is taken to ensure delivery is friendly and discrete.

Over the years, Yvonne has received regular help from Wetherby High School, the Foodbank and many other local churches, organisations and businesses. In turn, The Salvation Army supports us and many other local groups. Collaboration provides a powerful template for survival, not just for local charities across the country, but for the wider community too. Hopefully, this means that help is on hand as and when people need it most. Especially at Christmas.

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