CHRISTMAS 2023: A REVIEW

200 hampers delivered to families in Bournemouth for the seventh year running!

Photo credit Richard King, Spirited Pictures

PARTNERSHIPS

Our heartfelt thanks goes to the 75 partner organisations who supported the project:

70x7 Surplus; AECC University College; ASDA Bournemouth; Avonbourne Academies; BAE Systems; Barclays; BCHA DA Community Team; BCP Council - CHAD, Children and Families First, PLO and Court & Resettlement Housing teams; BH Living Magazine; BH1 Project; BlueSky; BoRo Experiences; Bournemouth Community Church; Bournemouth East Cliff Rotary; Bournemouth Foodbank; Bournemouth Methodist Church; Bournemouth Town Centre Parish; Bournemouth University - Faculty of Health and Social Sciences & Faculty of Science and Technology; Britannia Leatherbarrows; Buckland Road Baptist Church; Catch The Fire Church; Central Bournemouth Primary Care Network; Citygate Church; Coastline Vineyard Church; County Foods Ltd; Derwent FM; Dorset Community Foundation; Dorset Healthcare; East Cliff and Springbourne Ward; Foresters Financial; Health Visiting Teams - Bournemouth South & Bournemouth and Christchurch; Heart and Soul Studio Ltd; Help and Care; Holy Family Parish; Hope Community Church; International Care Network; JPMorgan Technology Audit; Just Move In; LV=; Magna Academy Poole; Makro Poole; Mayor of Bournemouth; Moby Micks Mobile Fish; Moordown Baptist Church; Nationwide; New Way UK Consultants Ltd; Nigel Bowes Academy; Nurturing by Nature; Picnic Park Deli; Plymouth Brethren Christian Church; Prokil; Redside; Rita Jenvey School of Dancing; SAMEE; Sexual Health Dorset; Siemens; St. Ambrose, Westbourne; St Christopher's, Southbourne; St. Saviour's, Iford; St. Paul’s, Throop; SWR Traincrew; The HealthBus Trust; Toadstall Plants; Trinity URC; Verwood Delivery Elves; Winton Primary School; Winton Salvation Army; YMCA Bournemouth Family Hubs - Queen's Park & Southbourne and Pokesdown; Zest.

FAMILIES SUPPORTED

Photo credit Richard King, Spirited Pictures

Thank you so much! This is amazing and perfect, and it’s made our Christmas!
— Recipient, as they were handed their hamper

We received 225 nominations from 22 different agencies. In total, we were able to help 778 people celebrate Christmas with their families.

As part of the Bournemouth Foodbank network, these agencies are able to refer their service users for emergency food and support all year round. Find out more about how you and your people can support (or be supported by) this vital service:

FOOD COLLECTED

Photo credit Richard King, Spirited Pictures

We collected a total of 11,000 items of food and seasonal goodies to go in the hampers. 40 groups donated items while others helped us source deliveries of fresh and frozen food.

Bournemouth Foodbank relies on the generosity of the public to help people experiencing food insecurity all year round. If you would like to make an occasional food collection or even just change your weekly shopping habits to support their work, visit their Donate Food page:

VOLUNTEERS RECRUITED

Photo credit Richard King, Spirited Pictures

Great time. VERY well organised. One recipient said they would have cancelled Christmas without their hamper.
— Phillip, delivery driver

259 people volunteered their time to help receive food collections, prepare hampers and deliver them to the door. 19 teams worked in shifts to get things ready and a fleet of 72 vehicles brought Christmas to where it was needed.

Bournemouth Foodbank and its network of distribution hubs need quality volunteers all year round. If you would like to give your time and talents, check their Volunteer page here:

FUNDS RAISED

Photo credit Richard King, Spirited Pictures

A total of £10,750 was raised by partners and members of the public. Two large grants and a series of other gifts helped purchase stock and and cover our overheads. £3,400 of sponsorship received from 73 donors will support our ongoing efforts to help families celebrate together.

Funds are needed to keep Bournemouth Foodbank’s warehouse filled, vans running and hub’s open to guests. Please consider making regular donations here:

THANK YOU

Photo credit Richard King, Spirited Pictures

The Hamper Team who brought it all together on the day need particular appreciation: Andrea, Asha, Candice, Clare, Dan, Dave, Dom, Emily and Kati.

As do other volunteers who helped make preparations: Fee, Katie, Louise and Rich.

I am so proud of the team and our network of partners, volunteers and sponsors. Thank you all for your hard work and generosity.

We helped make Christmas something worth celebrating for hundreds of families in our town. There’s a let more to be done to help them, but this might be a good start.
— Ed Briggs, Hamper Team Leader
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LOCAL PARTNERS INVITED TO HELP WITH BOURNEMOUTH’S CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL