Carlisle Foodbank has been given a boost by volunteers helping the charity gear up for Christmas.
Businesses have been lending a hand in recent weeks including the Cumberland Building Society, which runs a scheme which allows its staff to spend a day helping out at a local charity.
Nikki Ion and Stacey Bradley were among those from The Cumberland who chose to volunteer at the West Tower Street charity.
Foodbank manager, Stephanie Humes, said: “It is absolutely amazing to get this support – we couldn’t be here without our volunteers, they are what makes this place.”
The women spent their day working behind the scenes, as part of a team of volunteers sorting donations.
Nikki, 35, has worked for the Cumberland for 16 years, but this was her first time taking advantage of the one day a year she can use to volunteer.
“It’s the first community day I’ve done – you get carried away with work sometimes, but it is good to take time out to help others as part of our commitment to Kinder Banking,” she said.
“It was definitely a thought-provoking experience. It really hit home: and made me realise what a fantastic job the food bank do with the resources they have.”
Stacey, 39, was also a first-time volunteer, and admitted that it had been an eye-opening experience to work alongside other foodbank volunteers.
“The way things are at the moment, it’s challenging for a lot of people. We spent part of the day packing children’s bags with the shopping list to last three days.”
Perhaps the biggest realisation for the women, was exactly what is required to help keep the foodbank in operation.
Stacey said: “It made me realise that, when going round the supermarket, grabbing an extra 20p or 30p tin of baked beans is something small to me, but could make big a difference to someone who needs it.
“Before I helped out, I would have just thought of buying pasta or rice, but after being there you realise how much more is needed. For example, buying the multi-pack boxes of porridge, which can be broken up and given to multiple children for breakfast.”
For Nikki, it also won’t be the last time she helps out the charity. She said: “It was really humbling to know that, while what I did was small, I have done something to make a difference to someone.”
Carlisle Foodbank is seeing a rise in demand for its services, but a drop off in people making donations. Earlier this year, the food bank completely ran out of food.
Stephanie said: “September was our busiest month ever, in the 10 years we’ve been going – we saw more than 1,000 people. That’s an awful lot of people in just one month.
“The steps the Government has taken – the £66 energy grant per month – has helped slightly, but we are still seeing an increase on what we saw last year.”
To volunteer or donate, email [email protected] or visit https://www.carlislefoodbank.org.uk/
Follow Carlisle Foodbank on the BanktheFood app for an up-to-date list of their most needed items.
Shopping list
Tinned food
- Savoury
- Meat
- Fish (tuna)
- Potatoes
- Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Snacks (spaghetti, beans and sausages, macaroni cheese, ravioli etc)
Sweet
- Rice pudding
- Custard
- Fruit
Packets/jars/bottles
Savoury
- Pasta sauce
- Sandwich spreads/paste
- Pot Noodles
- Dried snacks (pasta in sauce, noodles, mug shots etc.)
- Mash
- Cup-a-Soup
Drinks
- UHT milk
- Teabags
- Coffee
- Juice (low sugar)
Sundries
- Sugar
- Cereal
- Biscuits
- Crisps
- Jam
- Chocolate/sweets
Ring pulls on cans would be helpful especially for the homeless or alternatively tin openers could be donated.
Toiletries
- Ladies’ sanitary products
- Toilet roll
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Nappies
- Baby wipes
Household cleaning products would also be accepted.
Collection points
- Carlisle World Shop 1 Lowthians Lane Town Centre CA3 8JR
- Carlisle City Council Civic Centre Carlisle CA3 8QG.
- Carlisle East Community Fire Station Eastern Way CA1 3RA (This collection point now uses a bunker at front of premises with combination lock. Please ask at reception for the combination)
- Glamour 45 Broad St, Carlisle CA1 2AG
- Carlisle Library 11 Globe Lane, Carlisle CA3 8NX
- The Body Shop 70 Scotch Street Carlisle CA3 8PN
- Asda Chandler Way Carlisle CA3 0JQ (Only food bought in store)
- Sainsbury’s Church Street Carlisle CA2 5TF
- Sainsbury’s Local 54 Scotland Road Carlisle CA3 9DB
- The Co-operative Store King George Court, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle CA4 8SA
- The Co-operative Store Five Road Ends 28 Blackwell Road CA2 4EQ
- Morrisons Kingstown Rd, Carlisle CA3 0Q
- Poundland St Nicholas Gate Retail Park, London Rd, Carlisle CA1 2EA
- Lonsdale 9 Lonsdale St, Carlisle CA1 1BJ (by the bus station)
