Member Article

Housebuilder supports those in need this Christmas with festive foodbank donation

Gateshead Foodbank has received a much-needed donation from the team at Barratt Developments North East in the run up to Christmas. The Housebuilder, whose Head Office is based in Gateshead, launched an internal campaign to gather vital supplies so that residents in the area wouldn’t go without during the holidays.

Responding to the Foodbank’s annual Christmas appeal, the staff at Barratt Developments North East collected over 115kg of goods, enough to provide three days of food over Christmas for 11 people across the Gateshead area.

Staff donated food from the most urgently needed items list. The shopping list contains a wide range of food items that can help to provide nutritional breakfasts, lunches and dinners for those in need, including tinned fruit and vegetables.

Gateshead Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust. The foodbank at Gateshead has been operating for over 5 years, supporting around 120 local people who are in crisis per week.

This month is set to be one of the biggest in the organisation’s calendar. Last year alone there was a 47% December increase in the number of three-day emergency supplies provided by Trussell Trust foodbanks nationwide, compared to the monthly average for 2016/17. Over 146,798 emergency food supplies were sent to people in crisis.

Jonathan Conlon, a Trustee of Gateshead Foodbank commented: “We are always grateful for donations at Christmas, and were so pleased that a large, local business like Barratt Developments was able to support our cause. The items donated will help us to continue our vital work of ensuring that those must vulnerable in the area are supported.”

Danny Wade, Buyer at Barratt Developments North East commented: “We are always committed to giving back to communities across the region. When we heard about Gateshead Foodbank’s appeal ahead of one of their busiest times of year, we were keen to support in any way that we could. We hope that the donation helps to make the holidays a bit brighter for those in need this Christmas.”

To find out more about Barratt Developments please visit: www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .