British businesses help local food banks

THE CLOSURE of businesses due to the Covid-19 virus has caused untold financial worry to thousands of people.

With the sudden loss of income and no savings to fall back on, many have been left worrying about how they are going to cover their rent, bills and even pay for food.

The Benidorm Food Bank initiative came into being to help people in these situations.

Local resident and Benidorm entertainer Heidi Galvin, together with Diane Riley Coburn, owner of Showboat, set up a food bank, asking locals to donate dry goods.

Heidi then contacted Karen Malling-Cowles, president of Benidorm’s British Business Association (BBBA) to set up an online fund to raise money for people struggling to afford food, with an initial target of €1,500.

Also assisting are Jo Hollingworth and Graham Davis, and together they are working tirelessly, day and night to help as many people as possible,

This 'dream team' was born out of necessity, need and an aspiration to reach out to those that have found themselves, through no fault of their own, in this dreadful situation.

Thanks to the generosity of a number of people, together they have to date raised €5,579 online, and set a new revised target of €7,000.

There have also been further cash donations – €1,000 from Frankie Gallagher for a sponsored beard shave, €500 from Busy Bees, €150 from Andrea Atkinson, Benidorm Line Dancing and Neil Partridge from Black Chicken Benidorm, who has pledged for every €5 donated, €2 will go to the food bank and they will issue a €3 voucher to spend at the bar.

There have also been food collections from Camping Villamar,

Camping Villasol, Camping Almafra and there is a trolley at Iceland supermarket for people to leave items.

The first food delivery went out on March 20 and to date, between them they are now delivering parcels to over 40 addresses in the area, which stretches from La Cala to Albir. Every caller initially receives two weeks’ worth of food and is then reassessed.

Some are passed on to the Red Cross, who have an established food bank and the BBBA Food Bank fund have already donated €1,000 to assist them.

These are totally unprecedented times and reaching out for help should never be a source of embarrassment, they noted. Every call received is dealt with in the strictest confidentiality. “If you or someone you know needs help, please call or WhatsApp 603 235 744 or 640 711 873,” they stated.

“If you are able to help, no matter how small a donation, it will be gratefully accepted and appreciated.

“The money is used to purchase dry goods, fresh food, pet food and items of personal hygiene so people can feel a little less pressurised through this difficult time.”

People can make a donation by going onto Benidorm’s British Business Association Food Bank Facebook page and clicking on the blue donate button.

Alternatively, if you prefer to make a cash donation, call the helpline number and Heidi will collect and purchase shopping, taking a photo of the items purchased and publishing it on the fundraising page with the donor’s name.