Welcome one and all to the fourth edition of our monthly Newsletter. This is where you can find all of the latest and upcoming news from in and around Cheltenham Foodbank.
VOLUNTEERS
As always, we want to say a huge thank you to all of our valued volunteers. Your commitment and dedication has remained constant throughout all of the uncertainty and changeability that the Covid–19 pandemic has brought to operations within the foodbank.
It has been an absolute joy to welcome back some old faces to our team of volunteers. We have also introduced some new faces to the team, who have kindly stepped in to help at an extremely busy time. It is a pleasure to work alongside you all – safely and socially distanced of course!
Thank you all for all that you do. Your willingness to give freely of your time and skills are ever appreciated and your efforts are making a real difference in the lives of local people in need of our support.
DONATIONS
We have been fortunate enough to see immense support from local communities and organisations. Whether you have donated individually, as part of a harvest collection, through local street collections, or through your workplace, school or Church – we cannot thank you all enough. It is your generosity that enables us to fulfil our purpose and meet the needs of local people who are experiencing food poverty.
It is just incredible to see the time and effort put in by individuals to organise these collections and the results have meant that we are currently very well stocked. Thank you to you all!
If you would like to make a donation the items we are in most need of are: Tinned Meat, Long Life Fruit Juice, Washing up liquid and Toothbrushes. Our website and social media pages are regularly updated with our most needed items. Our opening times to receive donations are: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am – 3.00pm.
To find out how you can support us financially please see https://cheltenham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/ for more details.
SERVICE
Sadly, there has also been a rise in the need for our service. We have seen numbers double throughout November alone and with Christmas, our busiest time of year, fast approaching, we are in a great position to be able to serve and give provision to all those locally that may find themselves in need over the festive season.
CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES:
On Wednesday 23rd December and Wednesday 30th December, we will be open from our Main Centre based at Cheltenham Elim Church, for clients with vouchers to collect their parcels.
The last day that we are able to receive donations is Tuesday 22nd December. We will reopen for donations on Tuesday 5th January 2021.
REFFERAL AGENCIES
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of the referral agencies that work alongside our clients and make their referrals to us. We know that you – health, education, housing, advice and support organisations and others – have adapted the way you work several times, and have dealt with a much greater workload in very difficult circumstances. We also know that many of the people you help will say thank you directly – but we see the work you do, every day, and want to say that we are very proud to be your partner. Many of you have been kind enough to thank us for our work and we want to say the same to you. Thank you.
PARTNERSHIPS
We absolutely love to partner with other local organisations. At Cheltenham Foodbank we are passionate about community and are extremely honoured to have been chosen by Love Cheltenham to receive the donation of ticket sales from their up-coming event.
Love Cheltenham are a collaboration of nine local Churches. Collectively they have created and produced a safe way for Cheltenham to come together to celebrate the festive season this year, with an innovative take on the traditionally loved Christmas carol service. Carols by Carlight is taking place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday 20th December. We have our tickets ready and are all looking forward to this event! Please see lovecheltenham.org/events for more information and to buy your ticket.
THE NEW YEAR – LOOKING AHEAD
At the start of next year, Salvation Army Church in Cheltenham will join Cheltenham Elim Church and St Paul’s Church as the next Distribution Centre of Cheltenham Foodbank. We are very excited to be partnering with this fantastic organisation, who have a longstanding reputation for helping people in need in our town. Salvation Army Distribution Centre will open to clients on Mondays, between 11am and 3pm, and will be well placed to serve people living in the town centre. We hope that you will join us in welcoming the Salvation Army into the Cheltenham Foodbank family
Wishing you all a safe and very merry Christmas from all of the team at Cheltenham Foodbank.