Donation News
We have benefitted from some wonderful donations during October.
Whitehawk FC held a collection day for us and collected nearly 190 kilos of food – amazing result!
The foodbank team really enjoyed the game (shame about that result) and the warm welcome they received at the Enclosed ground. Here’s Steve, Vicar of St Cuthman’s, showing his support for the Hawks.
Huge thanks to Rev Paul Mundy and those at St Mary’s Church, Newick for the donation of food – a very generous amount gratefully received.
We have also received generous donations from 3rd Hove Cub Scouts, Dragonflies toddler group (pictured), Weightwatchers and ongoing support from Preloved of Brighton.
We would also like to pass on our gratitude to the Trussell Trust foodbank at Shoreham for passing on their surplus food – that has really helped our supplies!
Lance’s Story
We are so delighted that Lance has joined us as a volunteer!
Lance came to the foodbank as a client to receive food earlier this year. Since then he has joined the congregation at St Cuthman’s and his life has turned around. He now comes to help others at the foodbank every week and is a core part of the team.
Mid-year statistics
The Trussell Trust released its figures for April to September 2017 and reported a 13% rise in numbers based on the same period in 2016. In areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out, the average increase in uptake was 30%.
In Whitehawk we have seen an increase of 62% over the last six months compared with 2016, with 644 people fed in just six months and benefit changes or delays accounted for nearly 60% of the reasons given for referral locally.
This piece in The Argus gives more information.
Looking Ahead
We are now preparing for the busy lead-up to Christmas and are so grateful that some new donors have stepped forward at this time:
- Balfour School have started an ongoing partnership with us for collections
- Financial services company OneFamily is collecting for us during November at their office on West Street.
- Sovereign House, an office building on Church Street, have also started to collect for us.
- Many people are starting their Reverse Advent Calendars at this time of the year for which we are most grateful.
- Silver Spur, a local Brighton jeweller, are selling these gorgeous handmade Christmas Hope necklaces with the proceeds split between us and The Clock Tower Sanctuary. Perfect stocking filler!
