Charity hopes to give 1.5 TONNES of food to families over Christmas
A FOODBANK has set itself the target of collecting 1.5 tonnes of food donations for families in need this Christmas.
The Salford Foodbank charity has transformed a deluxe shed at the popular ‘Box on the Docks’ open-air gallery into a striking Salford Foodbank Giftbox collection point, with the help of award-winning design agency Carbon Creative. Visitors to the art trail are being asked to donate items such as instant coffee, boil in a bag rice, pasta, jars of jam and sauces, seasonal chocolate boxes and toilet rolls.
Those who are not able to visit MediaCityUK but still wish to help, can do so, by donating to several community donation points that have been set up across Salford to support the campaign.
During the pandemic the foodbank has handed out a record number of parcels thanks to the hard work of staff and kindness of residents like Keith Walker, from Boothstown, who collected a staggering 600kg of donations from neighbours, friends and family.
However, demand is set to increase over Christmas and the new year and the foodbank is looking to the community to help reach its target.
Iain Wight, from the foodbank, said: “This year has seen an outpouring of local generosity, with communities coming together, such as Moorside School, MediaCityUK and through people like Keith who want to play their part in helping to support those who may be struggling.
“We have been blown away by people’s kindness and we can’t thank everyone enough. It means we can support even more families through unprecedented times of hardship.” One of the points can be found at Moorside High School in Swinton, while more ‘mini’ food giftbox locations are on the newlycreated dedicated website, filled with information and updated lists of items that the foodbank needs. Assistant head Steve Mills said pupils have filled four wheelie bins full of food to donate to the appeal. He said: “As soon as we mentioned the appeal our students, their families and staff were eager to help. We had planned to use crates but had so many donations we had to borrow wheelie bins from Salford City Council to hold them all.
“I’m overwhelmed by their kindness, generosity and determination to make
Christmas that little bit easier for people in need this year. We place great importance on community spirit as a school and they have done themselves and Salford proud.”