Massive thanks to 19 schools, 29 churches and scores of groups, families and individuals.
A huge thank you to everyone for the bumper crop of Harvest and other donations gathered in during October – we received more than 8,500 items during the month from big-hearted supporters.
The roll of honour includes 19 schools and pre-schools, along with 29 churches, who chipped in so generously with food, household essentials and £££.
“These donations have really helped to fill the gaps on our shelves from the increased demand during the school summer holidays,” said our grateful Stock Controller Louise Willmer. “They will be very greatly appreciated by our clients and their families over these coming weeks in the build-up to Christmas.
“We were also delighted that we could give another whole carload of donations to Purley Food Stop to help support our clients who have moved on to there for further food help.”
To each school we have sent a thank-you certificate expressing our gratitude to the children, their families and the staff. Sabine Ward from Chipstead Valley Primary replied: “We will display our certificate with pride and of course continue to support this worthy cause.” Katherine Fallon from Howard Primary agreed: “It is a pleasure to help. We really enjoyed our Harvest and the children learned a lot from it!”
Big thanks also to our volunteers who collected the donations from several of the schools – including David & Denise, Lynda, John, Helen, Eddie, Nevile, Phil, Graham, and Louise, Grace & Dan from Coulsdon-based firm Lloret – and of course to the regular Monday team, plus others on Wednesdays and Saturdays, who sorted and date-labelled the items and refilled our shelves.
Not forgetting the considerable parts played too by the caretaking staff at Purley URC: Lorraine, Karen and Mary. When we count our blessings, we count each of them twice!
Picture 1: Cumnor House Girls’ head girl Lyla, charity prefect Alaya and deputy head girl Paris delivered their Harvest collection; Picture 2: four of the children at Keston Primary with some of their school’s donations.
As well as the Harvest donations, South Croydon’s Junction Road Residents’ Association called in to present a cheque from their annual Big Lunch Street Party event in June.
Pictured are Debby Stanhope and Greg Boyce from the Residents’ Association with Food Hub team leader Betty.
Debby’s husband Dave, who took the photo, wrote afterwards:
“Dear all the hard working folk at Purley Food Hub,
“Each year we agree on a local charity that we would like to donate to and this year we unanimously chose the Food Hub, for all the hard work you put in week in, week out, throughout the year.
“On the day we had a non stop BBQ, stalls, a dog show, bouncy castle, Zumba class, sea shanty choir, homemade cakes and street games with the emphasis on bringing neighbours together.
“We were visited by the Mayor and Fire Brigade, and a much loved local band, The Camellians, really got everyone going and singing along.
“We raised £335, and on 5th October we were met by your lovely volunteer Betty who gave us a run-down on how you operate and what you do and was really pleased to receive our donation.
“Debby, this year’s chairperson, works for Lloyds Bank and they also kindly donated £315 under their matched giving scheme to make a total of £650.”
Also in October, we received a Harvest donation of £50 from the residents of Abbeyfield House, Purley, and food donations from Hayes Court Care Home, Kenley, (pictured with two scarecrow helpers) and Priory Evergreen Lodge, South Croydon (inset). Several clients and staff from Evergreen Lodge go to Croham Road Baptist Church and they organised their collection after attending Croham Road’s Harvest service.
