Mark Davies, Deputy Manager of The Co-operative at Norman Place Road in Coventry, with Pamela Sharman, Store Manager.
Friday, December 18, 2020
Coventry charities working with some of the city’s most isolated and vulnerable residents this Christmas have been given a helping hand by the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
The Society has shared out £5,000 between four local charities working with people in need – many of whom have been affected by the events of 2020, whether financially or in terms of being isolated from family and friends.
The money is part of a wider £25,000 shared across the Heart of England’s trading area of Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire to help the most vulnerable members of society over the festive period.
Coventry Foodbank, which works with some of those most in need in the area, received £2,000.
Hugh McNeill is the manager of the Coventry Foodbank. He said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to the Heart of England Co-operative Society and its members and customers for their ongoing support this year. They have really weighed in, not just with food but with financial donations which allow us to stock up on the foods we are low on.
“We are aiming to give extra, so as well as the normal quota of food in a parcel we want to provide treats like biscuits and selection boxes. The aim is for anyone who comes into the foodbank over Christmas week to receive a nice parcel to tide them over. We’re very aware a box of biscuits or a box of chocolates can mean an awful lot to people and there are many charities in Coventry like ours all working in partnership with each other to provide toys for children whose parents are struggling.
“Our overall aim is to ensure no-one is missed out and donations such as this are a huge help.”
The remaining £3,000 was equally divided between Feeding Coventry, Coventry City Mission and Crisis.
Jo Dyke, Community and Membership Adviser at the Heart of England Co-operative Society, praised the work of the charities throughout the year. She added: “There are so many fantastic causes in Coventry working round the clock to combat hunger and poverty and to help struggling families to feed their children, especially at Christmas.
“These are issues which we know are close to the hearts of our members and customers. No-one should go without food and a few festive treats over Christmas, so we are delighted to support these fantastic causes who work so hard all year round to make life a little easier for people less fortunate than themselves.”
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