Christmas Update from Cobham Area Foodbank

‘Thank you’s – and some statistics

As we approach the end of another challenging year, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your support, without which we wouldn’t be able to help so many local families in crisis.  To all our supporters, generous donors of money, small and large gifts of all kinds, and for the help offered and given by so many – it’s really appreciated.

We’re so grateful to all the agencies who help in highlighting those people in need, and supplying the vouchers for food distribution.  To name but a few: the Cobham Centre for the Community, PA Housing, Esher CAB, Weybridge Job Centre Plus and a special thank you to Oasis who kindly share fresh food items with us to pass on to our clients. Many more agencies are involved to make sure that people in our area in need are well looked after.

How are we doing at the Foodbank this year?

We continue to receive generous donations of food from both the public and supermarkets; and more recently Harvest Festivals and Reverse Advent collections which have been a huge help in replenishing our stocks in the warehouse. Since we opened in 2013, we have provided over 178 tonnes of emergency food and supplies.
* Food donations received last month (November ‘21): 1601.85 Kg (of which 60.9kg was unfortunately received out of date)
* Food distributed to clients last month (November ‘21): 2927.71 Kg

We are open as usual, Tuesdays from 12 noon to 1.30 pm at the Cobham United Church, 38 Stoke Road, Cobham KT11 3BD. We help up to 25 families each week which means 80-100 adults and children.

We’re grateful to Cobham United Church for hosting us and helping us adapt to the ongoing Coronavirus changes. We continue to adhere to the rules (mask wearing, handwashing/sanitising and social distancing). We try to operate as safely as we possibly can but with compassion and understanding for every client coming to our door. The same applies to those clients who are unable to come to us due to illness or an emergency, in which case, we deliver food packages to their homes to make sure they are looked after.

We have a great team of volunteers in all our departments who get your donations collected, transported, processed in the warehouse and finally brought for distribution at our centre.

Coverage

As you may have seen, we’ve been busy generating support!  You may have heard my recent interview with Radio Jackie (you can listen to it here) https://news.radiojackie.com/2021/09/cobham-foodbank-is-having-to-throw-away.html and in October we were honoured to be presented with a Lieutenancy Certificate of Appreciation by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Stephen Lamport for our efforts during the pandemic and distribution of food and necessities, a lifeline to many families in the area.

We were delighted that this event was featured by many local press including Surrey Advertiser and Look Local magazine.

Donations

Sadly, as in many parts of Britain, the vital work of Cobham Area Foodbank is becoming increasingly important due to the ongoing pandemic, redundancies and the cuts in Universal Credit, amongst other issues that can suddenly lead to crisis, and your ongoing support is invaluable.  Cobham Area Foodbank is committed to helping those in need and sharing the generosity of our wonderful Community.  Please continue to look out for the list of key essential items we publish regularly and donate some of these into the collection points at local churches, supermarkets and Cobham Rugby Club.  We’ve recently set up a new account with ‘Wonderful Organisation’ where you can donate financially – more details here: https://wonderful.co.uk/pay?ref=1154217 or alternatively you can donate direct into our bank account – find out how here: https://cobhamarea.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/

We all look forward to brighter 2022 and especially good health this Winter. Please, keep our volunteers and all our clients in your prayers.

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas.

Christina van Roest