ROTARY CONTINUES SUPPORTING FOOD HUBS
Money which would have bought a weekly meeting meal in times other than coronavirus will continue to be used by Rotarians to support Shrewsbury’s food bank and food hub.
Members of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club agreed at their last Zoom meeting to continue donating a total of £1,000 a month to be shared between the Barnabas Food Bank, Shrewsbury Food Hub and the Pontesbury and Minsterley Food Bank.
For the last six months Rotarians have given significant support to the food bank and food hub in the town as well as to the Pontesbury and Minsterley facility.
Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club has agreed to maintain the level of support to food banks and hubs, particularly in the light of potentially greater levels of unemployment due to Covid-19 and at its next Zoom meeting members will discuss possible further giving from their charity account.
Said Karen Williams, Foodbank PLUS Project Lead: “Foodbank PLUS appreciates the ongoing support of and relationship with the Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club through regular monthly donations.
“This allows us to strategically plan for the future, particularly in light of the anticipated increase in demand of the services of Shrewsbury Foodbank and our debt advice service (Barnabas Money Advice) come the end of furlough. Their support ensures we can provide fresh fruit and vegetables for our clients to supplement the non-perishable parcels we provide, offer an extended debt advice service and continue to work with the community, supported by the community.”
Added Karen: “Christmas is going to be a particularly busy time and we hope to provide Christmas hampers for 200 families on top of our normal client base. The support of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club will be integral to that provision.”
ROTARY TOLD SHREWSBURY FOODBANK’S FEEDING 100 PEOPLE A WEEK
A Rotary club which donates to a food bank has been told the facility is currently feeding about 100 people a week.
And Karen Williams, Shrewsbury Foodbank PLUS Project Lead, has informed Shrewsbury Rotary Club that she has put in place a new system where every family/household will receive a full bag of fruit and veg.
In addition to apples, oranges and other fruit, the bag will also include potatoes, carrots, cabbage and other season vegetables.
The foodbank will initially use a grant it has been given specifically for fruit and veg. “That has to be spent within a certain timeframe,” said Karen. “We will therefore be keeping the Rotary money for after that deadline in early 2021 so that we can continue with this provision.” She added: “We started the provision today. All received with huge smiles!”
Said Rotarian John Yeomans, chair of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club’s Community and Vocational Committee: “Our Rotary club members are delighted to be able to support the Barnabas Foodbank project in this way. In these difficult times it is reassuring to know those people in our town whose circumstances mean they have to turn to the foodbank will now be provided with fresh fruit and vegetables which we all know are an essential part of a healthy diet.”
Anyone who would like to know more about Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club can contact <gdmw@hotmail.co.uk
