St Catherine’s food bank is sending out a plea for volunteers to help them raise funds so they can continue to provide support for those in need throughout what is predicted to be the worst winter since 1950.
Jonathan Williams, Project Administrator at St Catherine’s food bank, says, “Our food bank is pretty much run with less than half the personnel of most major city food banks.”
As St Catherine’s is the largest food bank across Wakefield and the Five Towns, their limited numbers of staff just adds extra pressure.
Jonathan adds, “We have Anglican, Catholic and Evangelical volunteers and we all get along so brilliantly, but we would love to recruit more volunteers from the Christian faith.
“If any member of any church in the Diocese would like to visit and see what we do with a possible view to volunteering, they are very welcome to get in touch.”
St Catherine’s has three upcoming bag packs to help raise funds for their Emergency Food Store and they are desperate for volunteers who will be willing to spend just 90 minutes of their time to help.
The upcoming bag packs will take place at Sainsbury’s, Ings Road, on Friday 2nd October with two others on Friday 11th December and Saturday 12th December, with a final one at Asda, Asdale Road, on Saturday 19th December.
Jonathan says, “If we don’t get enough support we’ll be forced to cancel at least one, which would be a huge shame.
“Over the winter period - which the newspapers expect to be the worst since 1950 - we fully expect to give out over 1,000 parcels.
“Missing out on these opportunities is something we can scarce afford. Even if someone could only spare ninety minutes, we would be immensely grateful for the support.”
Jonathan mentions, “At the moment, we especially need help between 9:00am and 11:00am and between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on the 2nd October.
“People can email me at foodstore@stcathernes-wakefield.org.uk or call me on 01924 211130.”
After being named as the Charity of the Year by the Sainsbury’s branch on Ings Road, St Catherine’s will be receiving help from Sainsbury’s for the rest of the year by being provided with numerous bag packing opportunities and other donations to help support their cause.
Some of the wards in Wakefield are among the most deprived areas in the country and St Catherine's food bank provides help for these local people living beneath the poverty line, giving aid to families before other social care procedures can be applied.
The food bank is the largest in Wakefield and the Five Towns and was awarded the Community Enterprise Award at the Wakefield Express Business Awards on 25th June.
For more information on the food bank, please contact Jonathan Williams at St Catherine’s Church Centre via foodstore@stcatherines-wakefield.org.uk or by calling 01924 211130.