A Christmas update and message of thanks from our manager

Christmas is a time for giving thanks as we celebrate the birth of Jesus whose life was an amazing gift. We also give thanks for the amazing generosity of Worcester people who have continued their support of Worcester Foodbank over the last year, despite the stresses and strains on budgets. This has enabled us to continue our work supporting people who turn to us in crisis, who suffer food poverty, and who are unable to properly feed their families and children.

We remain concerned about the future of foodbank.  We face many challenges including the continued poor state of our economy, the high cost of living, and the risks of even more people facing poverty and hunger. We know that it is going to take some time and a lot of patience before we see change. Change that will bring better times with less poverty. Indeed, we pray that poverty can be eradicated so that we can close our doors because we are no longer needed – time will tell.

We also pray for:

• The continued support for Worcester Foodbank with donations of food and finance so we can meet the record levels of demand we are experiencing, and
• The strength and perseverance of our foodbank team who face an increasingly difficult task. 

Last year we said that we were in the process of renegotiating the lease on our warehouse and planning to expand into the neighbouring building where we hope to be for some time to come. We are delighted to say that after a year of waiting patiently but anxiously, we are working with our new landlord to secure a new lease and extend into the neighbouring unit. This will enable us to significantly improve the way we serve our clients. 

We continue to see wonderful acts of generosity, 

• the child who used their pocket money to buy food for foodbank,
• the regular gift aided donations from individuals,
• the companies and charities whose donations run to many thousands of pounds. 

This enables us to meet our annual running costs which exceed £500,000 a year, so we can provide food for about 250,000 meals a year.  So, it is a big thank you from us at Worcester Foodbank.

Last year I finished with a quote from Ronald Rolheiser from his book called Holy Longing. It is worth repeating! “Charity is appeased when a rich person gives money to the poor, while justice asks why one person can be hugely rich when so many are poor.” 

Worcester Foodbank wishes you all a very peaceful and blessed Christmas.

Grahame Lucas

Worcester Foodbank manager