Stafford community group will continue to help those in need
Hearts and Hands Stafford have been taken aback by the amount of those in need that they decided to continue
Pictured above is a surplus food site and Daniel Roberts, the Community Champion at Asda Stafford, handing food to Hearts and Hands Stafford founder Katie Lowe
A new not-for-profit community organisation set up in Stafford for Christmas in response to the Covid-19 has decided to continue.
Hearts and Hands Stafford saw a need in Stafford and the surrounding villages as many self employed and furloughed people have been affected financially this last year by Covid-19 as well as others who have slipped through the net, unable to claim any kind of benefits, many never needed to ask for help before
Founder Katie Lowe said: “Up to now we have asked the community to support by asking for tinned and dry food contributions and individuals gave monetary donations.
“With the money we bought fresh fruit and vegetables to place in the Christmas hampers as well has presents for the children.
"We distributed to over 100 families and individuals in the run up to Christmas.
“We were so taken aback by the amount of those in need that we decided to continue. With the announcement of the lockdown we have been inundated with people not on benefits, furloughed and self employed asking for food.
“We wish to be able to relieve some of their hardship by giving out free food hampers. We also have food sites in and around Stafford, Staffordshire where surplus food is placed outside residential homes and the food given freely to anyone in the community.”
The group are also becoming known in the town and villages with many shops coming forward to help either by collected donated tins. For example SPAR Westway donated a £50 voucher to spend in the shop, while Asda and the temporary closed Marks & Spencer on the M6 Stafford Northbound site gave them stock items.
Katie adds: “We are also working with other community groups such as the Salvation Army, Neighbourly, Fareshare, Rising Brook, CCPA, SPAR Cape Avenue, Spittlebrook, Imanis Incredible Eats, Silkmore Community Support, House of Bread and Staffordshire Baby Bank to name but a few and forging new connections each day.
“Our next task is to find premises that we can work and expand the services.”
Anyone financially hit by Covid can email admin@heartshands.uk or find more information at heartshands.uk. You can also visit their Facebook page and Twitter @HeartandH or call 07534 831455 during working hours.
To donate please use Paypal admin@heartshands.uk or gofundme gofundme.com/f/hearts-hands-food-hampers.
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