YOU DUG DEEPER THAN WE
POVERTY charity St Giles Trust last night thanked generous Daily Express readers for spreading festive cheer to those in need.
Hundreds of Britain’s most vulnerable benefited after you responded magnificently to our Christmas appeal to help those who had fallen on hard times.
After we highlighted the organisation’s life-saving work, more than 300 donations were made online in December alone, totalling £65,000.The charity usually receives less than 50 a month.
It enabled St Giles Trust to provide 20,700 meals over Christmas.
Generous
The charity will provide 50,000 meals before the end of this month and, as donations exceeded all expectations, 100,000 over the next two to three months.
In a message to those who dug deep and gave what they could, chief executive Rob Owen said Daily Express readers’ generous support is “proof that the darkest of times lead to kindness and compassion”.
He said your support had provided a vital safety net “for the most disadvantaged individuals and their families”.
Rob added: “On behalf of all of us at St Giles, a huge thank you to Daily Express readers for your lifesaving support.” The charity is enthusiastically supported by Jack Monroe – known as the Bootstrap Cook – who has written for this newspaper on the devastating impact of the pandemic.
Jack said: “As 2021 rolls in we don’t know what it’s going to bring us but the financial fallout of a year in the shadow of Covid means it’s likely more people than ever will struggle to make ends meet, or struggle with loneliness, or their mental or physical health.”
St Giles Trust’s supermarket-style food bank – known as The Pantry – was launched after the pandemic led to a surge in numbers seeking help with financial problems.
It allows people to choose items from a high-quality range, including unlimited amounts of fruit and veg.
Organisers hoped that it would provide “dignity and independence” to those who have never used a food bank.
The project was introduced after research revealed that 27 per cent of those aged 35 to 44 live from payday to payday with nothing to spare.
Ninety per cent of The Pantry’s users were in food poverty when they signed up.
St Giles Trust, launched in 1962, shows people they can build a better future – for themselves and loved ones – and helps them to create this through support, advice and training.
It has 60 projects across England andWales and helps 25,000 people every year. St Giles Trust estimates it saves taxpayers £8.34 for every £1 invested in its services.
the moment. But those we help are disproportionately affected.
Your support has provided a vital safety net to prevent their problems escalating further.
People like Katrina [name changed], who was isolated and living in dire poverty when we met her. By providing regular meals we were able to build a relationship of trust and persuade her to seek help for her depression.
She wrote to thank us, saying
she would have been “a bit lost” without the help. We will stay in contact with Katrina, offering her patient, persistent support to help her fully re-engage with society.
She is just one of the many families and individuals touched by the Daily Express Christmas Crusade. On behalf of all at St Giles, a huge thank you to Daily Express readers for your lifesaving support.
Here’s to better days ahead.