Volunteers gave a festive feast to 220 families
DOZENS of volunteers clubbed together to ensure that more than 200 families in Hyndburn received meals over the festive period.
Working tirelessly over three days in the run up to December 25, more than 40 volunteers joined forces to deliver the special food packages. They came from ‘Hacker’s Christmas Dinner Appeal’ and ‘ Hyndburn’s Festive Feast’.
Paul Hacker, owner of The Great British Fish and Chip Bank in Great Harwood started his initiative five years ago with a £100 budget.
He said it started with a handful of families and this year 220 received a Christmas dinner, amounting to more than 1,000 meals.
“I have lived those Christmas days with no food on the table,” he said.
“I wanted to make sure no child and no family went through this. I did not predict how it would grow.
“I wish there wasn’t a need for it, but whilst there is it is so important we come together like this.
“Alongside feeding families in Hyndburn I hope this message spreads and others develop a similar initiative in their own areas too.”
Paul added: “Thank you to every business, organisation and volunteer who helped me make this year’s appeal such a huge success.
“For example, our website and Just Giving page wouldn’t have been possible without the help from Steven Wild who set it all up and helped on the day when we had printer problems. Freemasons from
Hyndburn and surrounding areas also got involved - it was wonderful to see so many people joining together.”
Hyndburn’s Festive Feast, organised by Stacy Walsh from the Hyndburn Hub, was established in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “The combining of our two initiatives was what made this such a great success.
“We were really keen to do something to make sure Christmas Day felt special for those who are struggling.
“It was not just about food poverty, but about letting people know they are not alone and there is a wide community who care.”
Stacy said they had many very kind donations from people in the community, including cash, food and ready meals.
She added: “Studio Retail donated selection boxes, which was organised via AmazingAccrington, Burnley Leisure donated £1,500, the local Morrison’s store gave us money to spend in store and Paddy Short donated puddings too.
“Ex-mayor Paul Barton even helped deliver some parcels in his old ward. I want to make sure everyone knows that they made a huge difference, no matter how big or small their donation or volunteering time was - thank you.”
Coun Miles Parkinson, Hyndburn council’s leader, said: “When I first heard about the two different Christmas food initiatives, I thought it would be great to combine them and really harness the powers of our community.
“It was heart-warming to see the huge effort from so many people.”