STAFF from Sanctuary Group have helped hundreds of families in need across the city through a year-long partnership with Worcester Foodbank.
Employees from the social housing and care provider have collected items, volunteered their time and held a series of fund-raising events to support the foodbank during 2018 as their Charity of the Year.
Overall, the partnership has raised the equivalent of more than £16,000, which includes a £10,000 contribution from Sanctuary’s community investment programme.
Worcester Foodbank has helped more than 3,000 individuals and families this year alone with emergency food supplies, supporting people in times of crisis.
Since January, staff have given more than 100 hours of time through the group’s employee volunteering scheme to help with tasks such as the weighing and sorting of food at the foodbank, as well as co-ordinating collections from supermarkets.
Food, household items and toiletries were also donated at Sanctuary’s offices in Castle Street, while further funds were raised with bake sales, a charity run and performances from the staff choir.
Nicole Seymour, Group Director – Corporate Services, said: “It has been a privilege to support Worcester Foodbank during 2018 and play a part in helping them reach people in need throughout the city.
“We appreciate the generosity of our staff, both financially and by giving up their time, and seeing the valuable impact that has made.”
Grahame Lucas, Worcester Foodbank manager, said: “We are so grateful for the time, energy and financial support Sanctuary staff have invested in our efforts to help people in crisis.
“Their enthusiastic support has helped to sustain us through an extremely challenging year.”
Worcester Foodbank is part of a nationwide network, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
