Local Foodbank Appeals For Donations During Coronavirus Crisis

'Committed to keeping the service running' in time of extra need

Brentford Voice reminds us all to help Hounslow Community FoodBox, our local foodbank.

Food banks are a vital community service as social distancing will lead to a greater element of social exclusion.

Away from the stockpiling hordes, food bank workers are toiling tirelessly to make sure that no one goes hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Each of us must seriously reflect on whether that extra packet of pasta really is necessary for ourselves, or whether instead we can donate it to help families who are hungry now.

The need for supplies is greater now than ever. From donating goods and money to volunteering, there are many ways to contribute.

How can you best support Hounslow Community FoodBox?

If you are not in an at-risk group and have time on your hands, volunteer.
Hounslow Community FoodBox are trying to increase their pool of volunteers, in particular, so that they can continue to provide home deliveries to people who are unable to come to the FoodBox.  This is likely to become increasingly important over the coming weeks (and months). Anybody who is interested should contact Philip Jones at treasurer@hounslowfoodbox.org 

Keep donating, too: your donation is needed now more than ever. There are collection points in Morrisons and one in the Co-op by the University and you can take your donations to the premises when it’s open: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 1pm, Saturday 10am to 12pm. The Hounslow Community FoodBox premises are located at Brickfield Community Centre, Brickfield Close, Brentford TW8 8JN.

People are continuing to donate food and money, and the fact that people are still considering how to support the Community FoodBox during this time is great credit to our community.

The following food items would be most welcome as stocks are starting to run low: tinned potatoes, carrots and peas.  

Food and other donations
Hounslow Community FoodBox are grateful for all non-perishable, frozen and fresh food donations,  but the regular food items required include:

Tinned & fresh potatoes or mash
Tinned meat - casseroles, corned beef, ham
Tinned Fish - tuna, salmon, sardines
Tinned vegetables – potatoes, sweet corn, peas, carrots, beans
Tinned and fresh fruit
Pasta sauces
Tomato sauce
Tea
Coffee
Sugar
Cereals
Jam/preserves
Small cooking oil
Tinned soup
Baked beans
Rice
Flour
Tinned custard
Rice Pudding
Squash
Long life milk
Baby food & milk
Pet food and non-food items such as toiletries, cleaning products and nappies are also very welcome.

Financial donations
Hounslow Community FoodBox are grateful for financial donations to help run and expand the service. You can make personal donations go even further through Gift Aid.  By saying “yes” to Gift Aid you can help the FoodBox to do more – at no extra cost to you.  Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows charities to reclaim the tax that has already been paid on donations from UK taxpayers.  If you choose to Gift Aid, the government will add an extra 25p to every £1 you give to the FoodBox.

If you would like to donate please contact Philip Jones at treasurer@hounslowfoodbox.org or 07743 547262

March 19, 2020