The Good Shepherd have launched its harvest appeal for 2022 with the aim of building up food stocks to take into the New Year.
Harvest is an important time for the Good Shepherd as the generosity of the local community ensures the charity can continue to provide support for the most vulnerable people across Wolverhampton.
It all falls into the charity’s ethos of ‘It Starts With A Meal’, knowing that providing food for people is often just the first step in an overall package of support which the Good Shepherd can provide.
And so, donations of food from individuals, schools, faith groups and businesses at harvest time are vitally important to replenish stocks and provide that initial support which can lead to so much more.
As a guide, during June, July and August this year, the Good Shepherd provided 4,903 meals and 795 family bags to people in need of food.
“We are so fortunate at the Good Shepherd to have such generous support from the community at harvest time, which ensures our stocks are replenished and that we are able to continue helping some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in the city,” says Helen Holloway, Business & Finance Manager at the Good Shepherd.
“Individuals, schools, businesses and faith groups are so supportive and, even though we know a lot of people are going through challenging times at the moment, every single donation, however big or small, makes a really positive difference.
“It starts with a meal, but it doesn’t end there, and our role is both to be hospitable and compassionate but also support change and provide opportunities for people to be the best versions of themselves.
“We do this through our support programmes which offer opportunities for service users to access suitable accommodation, access training or education to move towards employment and develop skills to build their resilience.”
If you can donate, items can be brought to us at 65 Waterloo Road from 8am-11am or 2pm-3pm from Monday to Friday, or to our collection boxes at Sainsbury’s in Chapel Ash, Sainsbury’s on the Compton Road, Spar at Compton, Lidl at Finchfield, Co-op in Great Wyrley or Aldi on St John’s Retail Park.
If you are a school, business or faith group who requires a donation to be collected please contact us on (01902) 399955 to arrange. If the items can be gathered together for our volunteer drivers that would be much appreciated.
Alternatively if you were able to make a small donation from which we would purchase some food items to use as part of our food service we have a fundraising page – click here to access.
Many thanks as ever for the support.