We know it’s a challenging time for everyone at the moment as the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold. The lives of hundreds of people in our area have been disrupted and are now experiencing job insecurity, illness and isolation. Food banks who are the grassroots community organisations aimed at supporting people who cannot afford the essentials in life are seeing a huge demand. Sadly, in the current climate Food banks have become essential for some and the demand for help is on the increase.
Statistics from a local food bank: ‘Demand for our services has exploded since March and we've already provided food for 3,800 people this year - more than in any whole year since we were founded in 2011. People in Eastleigh have been incredibly generous and we continue to receive donations of both food and money to keep our show on the road. With the support of One Community delivery volunteers we are now providing food and household supplies (basic toiletries and cleaning products) to around 100 people a week from Eastleigh, Bishopstoke, Fair Oak, Chandler's Ford and beyond. We fed 2,451 people during the whole of 2019 and we've fed 22,413 people since we first opened’.
With this in mind No.18 has decided to team up with two local food banks to donate on the run up to Christmas and we are hoping you would help us with this.
There are two ways in which you can help:
Donate via our crowd funding page https://www.gofundme.com/f/no18-christmas-campaign?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 (all donations will be split 50/50 between the food banks)
Donate food - a list of example essentials are below , however this is not exhaustive and other store cupboard items are welcome (If you wish to donate please send/drop off what you can into chambers and we will arrange the pick up for the food banks)
- Tinned meat meals (stew, hot dogs, ravioli, curry, meatballs, spag.bol., beans & sausages etc)
- Tinned ham & corned beef
- Tinned spaghetti
- Tinned potatoes
- Cook-in-sauces
- Instant Noodles / Pasta Sauces
- Tinned fruit
- Sugar
- Tinned rice pudding
- Desserts (sponge puddings, jelly etc)
- Custard
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Shower gel
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste & toothbrushes
- Laundry capsules
- Washing up liquid
- Dog food & Cat food
- Nappies
- Squash & long life fruit juice
- Loo roll & kitchen roll
- Cereal
