Morrisons in Gorleston is inviting customers to support local charity, Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank, at its food drive next week.
The collection will take place during the week commencing July 17. Volunteers will be manning the donation point at the front of store at 10am for an hour each day (Tuesday-Friday) and would be glad to talk with shoppers about the foodbank and receive donations.
Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank currently serve around 80 households per week. Last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network (of which the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank is a part) distributed nearly 3 million emergency food parcels across the UK, with 5,776 being distributed by Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank alone. The Trussell Trust’s annual statistics also show that as an increasing number of people struggle to afford the essentials.
A food parcel is designed to last a household for three days, and typically consists of items including cereal, tinned fruit and vegetables, canned meat and fish, tea, coffee, biscuits, UHT milk, and pasta and rice. Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank also offers each recipient a listening ear and a wider range of signposting support, engaging with specialist services to support with issues such as benefits, debt, budgeting, housing, addictions and well-being.
Victoria, a parent with a child with complex health needs, said: “I had a house, a job, didn’t think I would need to go to a food bank ever. I sat in the car for about an hour before I went in, because I was scared. But I knew that I had to go so we could have food. People at the food bank were unbelievable. They treated me without any judgment, like a friend.
“When I came home and started unpacking the bags, it felt amazing. I had sugar, tea bags, biscuits – things that were normality to us before and probably to a lot of people. But when you don’t have them for God knows how long, and when someone can give them to you, you feel relieved.”
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Nobody in the UK should face hunger, so I want to thank Morrisons in Gorleston, their staff and their customers, for their support. The support of Morrisons in Gorleston will help Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank to continue to provide the lifeline of emergency support for local people in crisis, while we work in the long term to build a hunger free future. Thank you so much.”
Morrisons Gorleston Community Champion, Stacey Wade explained: “Morrisons want to support our local needs and help to raise awareness about the Yarmouth and Magdalen foodbank’s incredible work. We are delighted to be holding a special foodbank drive and encourage our wonderful customers to donate.”
Anna Price, trustee of the Yarmouth and Magdalen commented: “We are excited about this food drive and grateful to Morrisons Gorleston for enabling it. We depend on the generosity of local people to care and share their resources. Every tin or financial donation makes a difference to someone in need and will give hope and the offer of wider support in a time of crisis.”
You can find out more or donate online by visiting their website: yarmouthmagdalen.foodbank.org.uk If you are a business or volunteer who would like to help out, please contact [email protected]
Photo above of Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank storage courtesy of Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank
Anna Heydon, 15/07/2023
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