As we start the busy run-up towards Christmas with increased numbers of clients expected, the first three schools have kindly contacted us to say they are donating their Harvest food collections to the Food Hub.

We collected the very first donation this year, from Howard Primary School, Croydon, in mid-September and then received the items from Cumnor House School for Girls, Purley on Monday 26th before collecting a car-load of donations from Woldingham School after their Harvest Festival service on the 29th.

Thank you all very much, Howard, Cumnor House Girls and Woldingham!

Thank you also to the generous residents of Abbeyfield Home Purley who collected £126 at their Harvest Thanksgiving service.

Since the Food Hub opened nine years ago, we have been blessed each autumn with a big crop of Harvest donations from schools, churches and others – and these will be especially welcome this year: tins, bottles, jars and packets of long life, non-perishable items (but not fresh food thank you).

As a guide, our latest list of most needed items is published on our home page at the end of each month.

We are open to receive donations at Purley United Reformed Church, next to Purley Hospital, three mornings a week: (preferably) Mondays but also Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9.00am to 12.00midday. In case of difficulty, we can arrange for one of our volunteer drivers to collect.

If you are head of a school/college or a teacher, student or parent, and you would like to support our Harvest appeal, please contact Jean, our Administrator, by email to purleyfoodhub@gmail.com or phone 07546 635295.