A NORTH East food charity has revealed that it’s “pulled out all of the stops” this year and prevented over 9000 families in the region from going hungry during Christmas, despite battling issues with volunteers, supplies and the ongoing Covid-19 situation.
Through generous donations from members of the public and its partners, Feeding Families, who operate in the region, has been able to surpass last year’s figure of 7000 families and has ensured that no one in need is left with an empty plate this festive period.
Starting from humble beginnings in 2017, armed with just a spreadsheet and social media, Feeding Families has gone from giving out 700 Christmas hampers in their first year to becoming a “well-oiled charity machine” and having 600 volunteers packing items in Blaydon, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and in County Durham.
Read more: Feeding Families in County Durham inundated by Christmas hamper requests
Overall, it’s managed to supply well over 20,000 families in the North East during its three operational years.
Despite the charity operating 365 days of the year, it’s Christmas that’s become the busiest for them. Between December 1 and 14, all the items for each of this year’s 9000 hampers are sourced, donated, packed and distributed in what is a ‘tight turnaround’ for Feeding Families.
Now that the “manic and chaotic” period has wound down for Feeding Families, the CEO of the charity, Juliet Sanders, has admitted that issues with donation and volunteer numbers meant that this year’s hamper project almost didn’t take off.
Earlier this month, it was announced by Feeding Families that they would have to turn more than 2500 people away from this year’s donations appeal because they didn’t have enough supply to meet the demand.
However, through word of mouth and “strong community spirit”, the charity rallied and has now revealed that none of the 2500 that were initially “left without” would be going hungry in 2021.
Mrs Sanders said: “At first, it didn’t look like we’d get the correct amount of donations, which was heart-breaking, but what happened next made everything worthwhile.
“People, some that had nothing themselves, gave so generously to our appeal and made financial donations. If that isn’t the human and community spirit – I don’t know what is?”
Unlike other years, the CEO says that the type of families that the charity is helping isn’t “universal” and now ranges between younger and older people and those from every demographic.
She added: “It doesn’t matter your background or where you come from, you can fall on hard times and might need some assistance. There’s never any judgement, and while people put stigma or feel too proud to take donations, we’ve helped people from every group.
“You might live in a nice house and drive a fancy car, but if you fall on hard times because of the pandemic, we’re there to help everyone.”
As well as helping individuals and families with the hamper project, Feeding Families work with council agencies, schools, colleges and workplaces to make sure “no one falls through the cracks”.
Rebecca Topping, who has volunteered with Feeding Families since it first opened in 2017, has seen first-hand the change in the demand for food help at Christmas.
In its first year, Rebecca helped eight families through her role at Durham University, but after seeing a “growing need” in the city for food donations, that eight hampers soon increased to 800.
She said: “As soon as I saw the impact the charity made locally and regionally, I wanted to help. It put into perspective what we were doing after seeing the massive jump in families helped – it’s heartening, but it’s also something that we need to curb with a long-term solution.”
From one volunteer to another, Lisa Croft, who started giving her time to Feeding Families last year, normally helps the charity all year round with veteran hampers and NHS care packages but has just started helping the Christmas campaign.
Over her time with Feeding Families, Lisa has seen many volunteer for “harrowing reasons,” including a mum with cancer who was helped by the charity in 2019 and wanted to give back.
She said: “It’s the care, the excitement of someone opening a box and seeing food and other items, it’s the smile you bring to those that need it most – that’s what I love about Feeding Families.
“I give my time to make those moments – we all do. It’s so heartening to see someone collecting the hampers and them giving a smile or having a moment to themselves, that’s what Christmas and community are all about.”
While volunteers and the people packing and delivering the Christmas hampers are important, it’s the donors and those that give items that keep Feeding Families ticking.
This year, six-year-old Ashton Smurthwaite, from Durham, was one of those that donated to the hamper appeal – using his pocket money each week to buy food donations to go to the charity project.
For six weeks, Ashton managed to save up £25 and visited ASDA to buy some tinned food and other items to ensure that no one below the poverty line goes hungry over Christmas.
Read more: County Durham children collect for Feeding Families
His mum, Olivia, says that this “incredible gesture” is typical of Ashton, who already donates his toys to those less fortunate.
She said: “He always thinks of others before himself. I mentioned Feeding Families in passing, and before you know it, he’s asking to go to the supermarket to buy some food for those that are struggling this Christmas.
“He’s the most caring and kind boy you could ever meet – his kind heart takes me by surprise every single day.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here