THANKS A TONNE!
That was the grateful message to the kind-hearted people of North East Lincolnshire who together have donated one tonne of food to help feed those in need.
Since we launched the Ten Tonnes Of Tins campaign back in February, residents, businesses and other organisations have responded in their droves.
And after taking delivery of more boxes of donated food yesterday, the Daily Bread Food Larder on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, has received just over 50 boxes, taking it past the one tonne barrier.
Sarah Taylor, general manager at Care, which runs the food larder, said: "It has been overwhelming. We have had about 50 boxes from the Grimsby Telegraph, Shoreline, schools and other local organisations. To have received one tonne after only starting the campaign in February is wonderful.
"I would really like to thank the residents of North East Lincolnshire for their support, and also Churches Together, who have been part of the project since the beginning and continue to support us.
"Thanks to people's donations at the moment we are able to meet the needs of the increasing demand, but with the changes to benefits coming into force we expect that demand to increase even further.
"It is great to have achieved the first tonne, but we really need that support to continue."
In February, the food larder handed out 149 parcels, after giving out 129 in January. In contrast, 18 months ago it was handing out on average 30 to 40 parcels a month.
"I think there are a number of reasons for the increase", said Sarah.
"There is fuel poverty – a lot of families approach us during the winter time and tell us they have had to choose between paying for their gas and electricity to stay warm or buying food.
"There is also the cost of living. If you go into a supermarket everything seems to be going up in price and yet people's benefits and wages are not.
"We have also seen more people affected by redundancies. For people who have been in work for many years, that can really hit them hard. They have to sign up for benefits and that takes weeks to process."
She added that the campaign had also raised the profile of the Larder.
As well as the Food Larder, Care also runs a range of other support services, including providing second hand furniture to vulnerable people, and a care rent scheme in which it acts as a guarantor to help people secure rented accommodation.
Sarah said: "We offer quite a holistic service. We often find that if someone comes to the food larder we can help them with other things as well."
The Food Larder is also looking for volunteers to help it continue its work.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call 01472 232310.
