Supporting our food banks
By THE REV ANDY NORRIS, rector, St Mary’s Church, Alverstoke
Five thousand people from Gosport should have crowded the streets, parish centre and green around the church last Saturday, but sadly Alverstoke was quiet.
The pandemic led to the cancellation of our annual Michaelmas Fayre, which is hosted by the Rotary Club of Gosport and St Mary’s Parish Church, and normally attracts crowds of that size.
The Rotarians and the church are disappointed that the community spirit and the fundraising was not possible.
The fayre normally gives a fundraising injection of about £20,000 to local charities and Gosport community groups, so it is a significant occasion.
For our church, it also links to our annual Harvest Thanksgiving. The church celebrated Harvest at a socially-distanced morning service in St Mary’s, which could only welcome 40 people rather than the 400 it can host.
Despite that the photo shows a queue to enter and people bringing their harvest gifts of imperishable food. Our harvest collection of dried and tinned food and toiletries was for the local Gosport Food and Basics Bank. The local food bank is currently in urgent need of: Fray Bentos Pies (including veggie ones), drinking squash, coffee, tins of meat meals, rice pudding, tins of fruit, biscuits, jam and child nappies.
They are so grateful for any support because the pandemic has increased the need, which is so great and will be increasing as winter approaches.
If you are able to donate any such items – not just those mentioned above – we’re open again this Sunday (October 4) between 12-4pm when your items can simply be dropped into the back of St Mary’s Church, Alverstoke. All items will then be taken to the Gosport food bank.
We host simple church services in St Mary’s on Sunday mornings. The church is set up for social distancing, with one way systems and cleaning regimes in place. Places must be booked in advance, face-coverings must be worn and there is no singing. But meeting together and praying for our community in Gosport and for our world has been particularly valuable at this difficult time.