Foodbank donation from ABG

Almost 300 boxes of biscuits and chocolate selection boxes have been delivered to the Pantry Project at Riverside Vineyard Church in Whitstable.

The project is currently giving out 120 more food parcels per week than they usually do; many of the families are affected by the longer-term financial effects of the pandemic.

A mixture of group funds and member donations provided £380 at Tesco Faversham where members Debbie White and Sarah Hawes met with payroll manager Ang, who helped fill three large trolleys of treats to drop off to the Thanet Way foodbank.

Kim Wood was there to greet them and told them a bit about the families they are helping. She said: “We are helping many more families through the schools we reach out to. More and more, we hear from the families we meet that they never thought they would need a food bank and also that they had put off asking for help for months to see if they could get by.

“We urge people to come to us as soon as they need us – that is why we set up in the first place, to help people at the earliest moment.

“This large donation of treats will be wonderful to add to the bags we are giving to people as they are things that people might not be able to afford on top of their essentials.”

The church where the food bank is based also collects donations all year round of good quality children’s toys and equipment such as prams and buggies for families who need things for their new baby.

A flood earlier in the year meant many items were spoiled and in January, when the refurbishment is complete in the storage area, donations can again be made.

Neal Page, ABG’s chairman, said: “It’s important to our business group to give back to our local community and the Pantry Project is such a vital place at a grassroots level to help people who need it.

“It’s a privilege to be able to help and know that our donation will be well-received.”

Donations of food or baby toys and equipment for ages 1-5 can be donated via the blue donations box in the entrance lobby of the centre from Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm.

For more details and the full address, visit their website:
https://www.riversideuk.org/pantryproject