Norwich foodbank: update 213, 20 December 2024

Good morning!

I receive a daily prayer / thought and this seemed like a nice one to include for this last update I’ll send of 2024, reflecting back on all we have achieved and thinking forward to what we still want and need to do:

‘Patience,’ they told him. ‘Growth takes time, and so does kindness. Let the seasons work their magic, and remember, no matter how small a beginning may seem, it always has the promise of something grand.’ Victoria Beate

Opening / Closures

I attach our poster of when centres / warehouse / office is shut over Christmas and New Year for your information but also to highlight yet again how committed you lovely lot are in helping us provide the foodbank service week in, week out 🌟.

Self-Care

And aptly, on the back of the opening / closure piece, we were chatting with a volunteer at the Samaritans, who also supports us, and how important it is for us all to be ‘well’ (physically and mentally) and look after ourselves in order to best look after others. I know some of you help every single week, alongside other roles and hats you wear. PLEASE speak to Jon, myself or Keith – or another member of the team if you are more comfortable – if you need or want to take a break and don’t feel able to volunteer for a period, for whatever reason. We are absolutely here to serve those who are struggling but can only do that if we first support and serve each other! Text, whatsapp, call, email or speak to us face to face – please do reach out

Waitrose

A big thank you to all who were involved in the two-day collection at Waitrose Eaton last week – another very successful collection, with £685.72 in financial gifts and 650kg in food and toiletries!

RG Carters Trolley Dash

We received a £500 donation of goods last Friday – spent in a trolley dash (with plenty of customer obstacles!) round Tesco Blue Boar Two piled-high trollies filled with our most needed items and a few random other bits generated 233kg and a fair amount of interest round the store too! At the same time, dashes were taking place at Colchester and Cambridge timed from 2pm and each with £500 to spend on exactly the same list (using ‘most needed items’ from each foodbank). See attached a couple of photos and here is a short montage film with all 3 ‘dashers’ included, with the Norwich shoppers and our driver (Michael) top and tailing the whole thing!

Christmas Cards

I take my hat off to the Monday team as our Christmas cards this year sold VERY well – so much so that two potential customers in the office building had to sadly be turned away as I had no stock to sell them! Thank you to Caroline too for her support as foodbank advocate in the shop and to all who helped out with a shift for us on the cold Wednesday mornings ❄️

I also attach a Christmas card to all of us from Trussell 🎄

Love Actually…

Nothing to do with Christmas , actually, but I thought I’d share something I was sent, regarding the ‘Come From Away’ musical. One of the stories told was that of a couple who met on the flight and fell in love and married and I was sent an article of the ‘true’ story which was incredibly close to what was told in the musical. You can read it here

Coventry Foodbank

Coventry have made a ‘micro-musical’ with 4 x 1 ish minute songs from different perspectives across the foodbank – a centre volunteer, a client who now volunteers, their transport team and an ensemble to finish off. I genuinely laughed out loud at the transport song and loved the client story song – you may enjoy bits or all of it too! Coventry micro-musical

Donor Thanks

We received a generous financial donation from a donor who has supported us on a few occasions and he included this message:

‘Once again, a big “Thank you” to you and all the team for all that you are doing for the less fortunate of our neighbours. Finally, to you all: – “A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR ”

Trustee Message

Our Chair of Trustees, Keir, will have the final word of this update:

‘With Christmas Day almost with us, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the foodbank Trustees to thank all our volunteers for everything you have done for the foodbank over this last year, and in whatever role. Whether you volunteer in a distribution centre, in the warehouse or office, at our special collections, as a driver or in any other way, we are so grateful for your contribution and commitment to providing support for those in our communities who are in most need. And we know from the messages we receive that those we help greatly appreciate this support. To everyone, the Trustees very much hope that you have the Christmas you are hoping for. And we give you our best wishes for 2025. Thank you again, and God bless Keir’

Hannah