News

New Year’s update from our General Manager

2nd January 2025

As we welcome the New Year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. Cobham Area Foodbank has now been running for 11 years, and it’s only through your kindness and generosity that we’ve been able to provide vital assistance to families in crisis in our community.

How did we do in 2024?

Since April 2024, at the start of the financial year, Cobham Area Foodbank has provided food for 1,668 people in our community – 1,029 adults and 639 children. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we received 22,854 kg of food through various donation points and distributed 22,116 kg during this period.

In addition, we delivered 51 Christmas hampers and provided bags filled with fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, and meats. Your support, especially during the festive season, ensured that many local families in need were able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for standing with us and making a real difference in the lives of so many.

Our volunteers and supporters

We are very fortunate to have a dedicated team of cheerful and flexible volunteers to keep our operation running smoothly throughout the year.  Their hard work ensures our supplies are well managed, even as the needs of local families continue to grow. A huge thank you to each and everyone of you!

We are also incredibly grateful to the agencies and organisations that help us identify families in crisis and issue food vouchers for distribution. Among them are the Cobham Centre for the Community, PA Housing, Oasis, Esher Citizens Advice Bureau, Weybridge Job Centre Plus, and many others who work tirelessly to ensure that no one in our community is left behind.

Your ongoing support, combined with these vital partnerships, plays a crucial role in making a positive impact on so many lives.

Squires Garden Centre, Cobham supporting Cobham Area Foodbank
Squires Garden Centre, Cobham supporting Cobham Area Foodbank

Squires Garden Centres

We’re delighted to have been chosen once again as Squires Garden Centre Cobham’s Charity of the Year, and we really appreciate their continued support. This year, we’ve had the pleasure of participating in their charity plantation and the festive Christmas shopping event. Keep an eye out for more exciting activities and collaborations in the coming year!

Cobham United Church

Recycled materials Christmas tree displayed at Cobham United Church
Recycled materials Christmas tree displayed at Cobham United Church

A big thank you to our amazing DC volunteer, Philly, for crafting the incredibly artistic and inventive Christmas tree displayed in the hall of Cobham United Church, our Distribution Centre. Philly’s creation was made entirely from recycled materials – from washed, out-of-date tins to reused ribbons, a biscuit box repurposed with lights, and a donated recycled Christmas star.

The tree was part of the church’s ‘Christmas Tree Celebration,’ where various groups have contributed their own festive displays.  Thank you to everyone involved – your contributions continued to bring joy and highlight the spirit of sustainability throughout the festive season.

How can you help us in 2025?

We couldn’t do this without the generosity of our community so thank you for your continued support.  In the coming months, we are focusing on:

  • Expanding Our Reach: We’re looking at how we can provide additional support to more families, particularly those impacted by the rising cost of living.
  • Urgent Appeals: We are currently in need of 1L long-life fruit juice and milk, tinned meats, and basic toiletries. Any donations of these essential items would be greatly appreciated.
  • Community Events: We’ll be collecting donations during the year and will share details shortly.

If you haven’t already, please follow us on Facebook or X and look out for the list of key essential items we publish regularly.  You can also find our very latest list of items required on BanktheFood app (which you can download using the QR code below) and you can donate these items at the collection points at local churches, supermarkets and Cobham Rugby Club.

For those that would like to make financial contributions, you can donate directly into our bank account.

Alternatively you can also donate financial contributions into our account with ‘Wonderful Organisation’ – more details here or you can scan this QR code:  

Did you know we also work with Elmbridge Lottery? Find out how here on our website.

 

With very best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

Christina

Christina van Roest MA
Trustee & General Manager
Cobham Area Foodbank

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