Costa Blanca News

Reach Out in crisis

Torrevieja charity for homeless people facing unpreceden­ted demand and lack of funds

- By Davy Young, president of Reach Out

IN all the nine and a half years since it was establishe­d, never has the charity Reach Out been in such dire need of help!

Reach Out was set up to feed and clothe the homeless and to help them rehabilita­te back into society, as well as provide food provisions for the poorest people of Torrevieja.

However the charity is under threat of closure mainly due to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown, lack of customers to their charity shops and the inability to have fundraisin­g events, which are the lifeblood of the finances needed to keep the charity functionin­g.

Lack of visitors to Spain, recession and unemployme­nt, as well as movement restrictio­ns, have seen a drastic reduction in money raised to keep the homeless centre open on a weekly basis. We have to raise €1,500 weekly to provide breakfast and lunch to an average of 60 homeless, and pay our statutory taxes, wages, one social worker, and utilities.

We also provide staple food provisions and hygiene products to 45+ families (increased by 15 since March 2020), who struggle from day to day and are barely existing, especially now.

We have insufficie­nt funds to carry on beyond November and we are desperate for volunteers who can help in the shop(s), office, in the kitchen providing wholesome food, washing and shower facilities, replacemen­t clothing and essentials such as toiletries.

We are particular­ly desperate for finances to continue to provide help for the needy, plus non-perishable food provisions, nappies, toiletries, etc. The crisis has drained our reserves and these are dire times.

If you require further informatio­n please do not hesitate to ring Davy Young on 650 735 845 or 96 571 30 63 or email president@reachoutto­rrevieja .eu

A ‘Reach Out Recovery Fund’ has been set up to receive donations through the website GoFundMe at https:// es.go fundme.com/f/reach-outrecover­y-fund

 ??  ?? Happier times: Some of the Reach Out team in the canteen at Christmas in 2019
Happier times: Some of the Reach Out team in the canteen at Christmas in 2019
 ??  ?? With the Torrevieja Royal Naval Associatio­n in April
With the Torrevieja Royal Naval Associatio­n in April

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