We decided back in December that rather than spending money on our usual cards and gifts for our clients, we would look for a local good cause to donate to instead.
It's taken us some time to find and decide on a truly local charity, we specifically wanted to help people from East Grinstead and the surrounding villages, as that's where we're based. Anyway, after researching for a couple of months, we eventually chose the East Grinstead Foodbank as it helps a whole range of people across the social spectrum, and it is clear from their website that they do a lot of good in the local community.
The Foodbank East Grinstead
The Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust, which runs over 400 Foodbanks around the UK. We recently paid them a visit to take a look at their operation and see how it all works, as well as deliver our food and trolley donations.
We were really impressed with the set up, from the friendly staff who run everything to the highly organised and smoothly run service they provide. They are based in the Jubilee Community Centre in East Grinstead, and on our arrival we were very impressed with the whole layout. There was clear, good signage to show you where to go and we were given an open armed friendly welcome, including the offer of coffee/tea and a seat to put us at ease.
The behind the scenes operation was fantastic. It was a real eye opener to see first hand the amount of pre-planning and organisation that goes into running the centre on a daily basis. They have to think ahead all the time and constantly update their list of urgent items that are required on their website. Christmas is also already on their radar as they produce hampers at that time of year and are already collecting non-perishable items for them.
Our directors, Simon and Chris, were both moved by a story they were told about a packet of Christmas cards that had been donated. After some debate by the Foodbank staff as to whether they should put them into one of their food boxes or not, they decided they would and then had some fantastic feedback from a lady who said that they were a lifesaver for her, as she couldn’t afford to buy any Christmas cards herself and they enabled her children to send cards to all their school friends, ensuring they could join in the Christmas festivities.
A varied cross-section of society uses the Foodbank, it’s not just those on the poverty line. Professional people who suddenly find themselves redundant and can’t make ends meet, people with short-term cash flow problems, others such as single parents or those who are suddenly taken seriously ill and can no longer work also use the service and this could be any one of us at some point in our lives. No-one is judged as everyone who uses the service is referred via a care professional e.g. GP, health visitor or school and everyone is treated equally with compassion, dignity and care by the friendly, welcoming and very helpful staff.
Why not donate today…
We hope, like us, you agree that this is a very worthwhile cause. It’s something that we could all help with very easily as they have donation baskets in the Jubilee Community centre itself, as well as Trinity Methodist church, Moatfield Surgery, Forest Row Community Centre and both Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in East Grinstead.
None of us know what our future holds, who knows, we could be needing the services of the Foodbank at some point so next time you’re doing your weekly shop, check the Foodbank website before you go to see what they urgently need and buy an extra item to pop in the donation basket at the till. Alternatively, you can donate directly to the Foodbank itself at Jubilee Community Centre, East Grinstead RH19 2HL.
Go on, give something back.
Photo from the Foodbank East Grinstead warehouse and storage centre
Photo from the Foodbank East Grinstead warehouse and storage centre
The Foodbank's promotional materials ready for dispatch!
