Whitchurch businesses get in the Christmas spirit in support of food bank
Spurred on from last years fundraiser, four businesses in Whitchurch have teamed up once again to help raise funds for their local foodbank.
Refill Your Boots, Homefolk and Moo and Boom successfully raised £615 last year for the Trussell Trust Foodbank in Whitchurch running a ‘Win A Hamper’ raffle.
The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks by providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.
Now, the businesses have come together once again with a new addition – Vikki Beazley owner of Lukes Café Wine Bar – to run a raffle prize of £120 worth of vouchers, £30 to spend with each of the retailers.
Vikki said: “When the others told me about the raffle, I jumped at the chance to join in and help in any way I can.
"With the combined £120 worth of vouchers, it’s a desirable prize and we hope more people will be interested in supporting the cause.
“Life is hard, especially this time of year and we wanted to be able to raise money for those who need assistance the most and in return offer a little joy with the prizes they could win too.”
The Trussell Trust recently revealed that food banks in its network provided 50 per cent more parcels to people across the UK in recent months, compared to before the pandemic.
The need is increasing, and at the moment, a parcel is provided to someone facing hardship every 13 seconds.
In a survey, 38 per cent of people said they had gone a whole day without food or just one meal, in the last month, because they could not afford to buy food.
Lucy Young, co-owner of Homefolk on High Street said: “We're so pleased to be working together again this year, along with the addition of Vikki Beasley from Luke's Wine Bar, to help raise funds for the Whitchurch Foodbank.
“With the soaring costs of living, the demand for emergency food parcels has increased by 46 per cent compared to the same period last year.
"If we can work together to help fill that gap just a little bit by providing the local foodbank with much needed funds to purchase essential food items, we'll be delighted and extremely grateful to our customers."
Maddie Ashbrook, owner of Moo and Boom on Green End added: “We’re delighted again this year to work with like minded businesses I town to raise much needed funds for our foodbank.
"Together we are stronger and can offer a variety of shopping choices to the winner."
Raffle tickets cost £1 and can be purchased from either Refill Your Boots, Moo and Boom, Homefolk or Luke’s Cafe Wine Bar.
The winner will receive four £30 vouchers to spend in the retailers and the winner will be announced at the Christmas lights switch on outside the Civic Centre on November 26.
