Donors’ amazing generosity means we can continue to support our local Food Stops

The busiest November-January period in the Food Hub’s 10-year history closed with food for 14,000 meals being delivered to 1,564 clients and family members.

November’s 4,167 meals were followed by a highest-ever 5,634 in December – and then, in January, 4,284 meals for 476 clients and family members. Also in January, our Monday morning sorting team counted and processed just over 11,000 donated food and other items, making a grand total of 95,200 items since the start of January 2022.

Louise, our Stock Controller, said: “We are always hugely grateful to all the generous people who give us food and money donations. Sometimes people apologise for only giving a small number of items. But these all add up and make a real contribution to our stock and so to the food parcels we can give to clients. We really appreciate people’s continued support.

“Their amazing generosity means we can continue to support our local Food Stops – at Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Purley, and St Francis Church, Monks Hill – every fortnight, and also Fieldway Food Stop in New Addington on a monthly basis with food and other items which have been donated.

Volunteer Annabel prepares to deliver another batch of clients' food parcels

“This is a win-win situation for us and the Food Stops, as we often receive items that are generally not on the picking lists we use to make up our clients’ food parcels, but are welcomed by the Food Stops.

“It means that every single donation we receive can be used to help local people going through hard times, as so many are now.”