Festive boost to help foodbanks (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Festive boost to help foodbanks

7:40am Monday 14th January 2013 in News By William Tomaney

COUNCILLORS and employees at Wyre Forest District Council raised nearly £250 to help two foodbanks.

Staff managed to spread the festive cheer after collecting funds via a raffle to win a Christmas hamper.

Workers also gave their Christmas greetings on a poster and donated money to charity rather than exchanging Christmas cards.

A total of £242.71 was raised for the Kidderminster Foodbank, based at Baxter Church, and the charity project at Franche Community Church.

The activities were organised by the council’s homeless project officer Rose Leonard and a hamper provided by Midshire Catering, which runs the cafe at the council HQ at Wyre Forest House.

Conservative councillor Anne Hingley, cabinet member for place-shaping, said: “The raffle and the posters were a fantastic idea.“The money raised will be a great help with the running costs and will provide extra food for the two foodbanks.

“The volunteers work selflessly to help those in need and this is another example of the great community spirit in Wyre Forest.”

There is a collection point for Kidderminster Foodbank at the town hall as well as The Shuttle’s Blackwell Street offices, which saw a rise in donations from generous readers over the Christmas and New Year period.

Donations of non-perishable items such as powdered milk, pasta, cereals, potatoes, baked beans, tinned soup, tinned meat and fish, tinned vegetables, healthy snacks and fruit juice are all welcome. Other items such as tooth brushes, tooth paste, shower gel, washing tablets, baby wipes, shampoo, soap and washing-up liquid are also needed. Both foodbanks need monetary donations as well as food to keep services going.

Kidderminster Foodbank opens on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, plus 9.30am to 12.30pm on a Friday.