NEWTOWN’s Salvation Army is thanking local individuals, businesses and churches who have continued to support it to run the foodbank during the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of parcels distributed in March was double January and February and April is likely to be similar.
Colleen O’Brien, Newtown Salvation Army’s charity shop and programme manager said: “Since we closed the charity shop and prayer space following government guidelines, we have been running the foodbank from behind closed doors and been so encouraged by people getting in touch to find out how they can donate to us.
“We have set up a JustGiving page, to make it easier for individuals and businesses to donate and set a fundraising target of £12,000 in anticipation of the charity shop needing to be closed for 12 weeks. We usually use the income from the shop to support the work of the church as well as foodbank supplies.”
Many businesses unable to operate in their usual manner have donated food they are unable to use.
Morrisons extended the collection point for donations in their store to allow customers to donate in this way. This has been relocated close to the café area.
Daniel Jones, community development worker for The Salvation Army in Newtown said: “When delivering a parcel I dropped it off and stood two metres away from the door, and the family looked at the parcel and immediately welled up and simply couldn’t believe the generosity and support from our local community.
“After delivering some food to another family, which included fresh eggs and Easter eggs courtesy of local businesses, we received a handwritten thank you letter in the post.”
Sam Jones, church leader of The Salvation Army in Newtown said: “We’ve been working alongside other agencies to try and make sure that people don’t slip through the net with both food parcels that we can provide and by signposting them to other agencies who have expertise in other areas, such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Connectors, Ponthafren.”
The JustGiving page is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/newtown-salvation-army
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