Worcester Foodbank took centre stage when a theatre group enjoyed a short break from rehearsals to hand the charity a £540 cash boost.
Members of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) presented foodbank manager Grahame Lucas with the money while rehearsing for their latest production of Spamalot.
The funds were raised by the sale of raffle tickets during WODS’ performance of Into the Woods which was staged at the Swan Theatre earlier this year.
Mr Lucas said: “We’re really grateful to WODS and everyone who dipped into their pocket to support us – without these acts of generosity we could not keep providing a lifeline to the thousands of hungry people and families that rely on us.”
“Although we always need donations of food and other household essentials, we also have to raise a considerable sum of money each year to keep our warehouse open.”
Foodbank provided more than 6,200 three-day emergency food parcels to people living in desperate situations across the city in 2017/18. The charity expects demand for its help to rise rapidly in the coming months as many vulnerable families and individuals adjust to the full rollout of Universal Credit.
Christina Humphries, President of WODS, said the group had been inspired to raise funds for foodbank by one of its committee members, Martin Boniface, who volunteers at the Lowesmoor-based centre.
She added: “We always choose a good cause which has a special connection to one of our members and we know what a vital service foodbank is providing to a growing number of people across Worcester who cannot afford the essentials we often take for granted.”
WODS will return to the stage in October for the production of Eric Idle’s Spamalot when the group will be raising funds for the brain injury charity, Headway.