Society’s appeal for Shropshire families in crisis

03 May 2019

LEEK United staff have launched a special campaign to help feed Shropshire families in crisis...

The Society’s Oakengates team are appealing for donations of cans and dried goods that Telford Crisis Support* can make up into food parcels for those most in need.

So far in 2019, the charity has handed out more than 1,000 emergency parcels in response to a growing food poverty problem in Telford and the surrounding areas.

And Leek United’s appeal is part of the constant drive to ensure that Telford Crisis Support’s foodbank shelves are kept fully-stocked.

Debra Hutchins, a Customer Adviser at Leek United’s Oakengates Branch, said: “If everyone passing by or coming into the branch was able to give just one item, it would help us to make such a difference.

“There are so many people out there for whom just feeding their families each week can be a real struggle. Our customers have always responded amazingly to previous appeals, and we’d urge them now to help in any way they can.”

For the next few weeks, the Society’s Branch in Market Street, Telford, will be a Telford Crisis Support collection point for non-perishable food items – including cans, jars and packets of dried goods – as well as toiletries.

Ollie Locker, Operations Manager at Telford Crisis Support, said: “We'd just like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Leek United in Oakengates for choosing to support us in this way.

“We're a very small team with a big heart making an even bigger impact on those who unfortunately find themselves at a crisis point in their lives.

“Not only will the food donations help, but hopefully customers visiting the branch will see our posters and may consider supporting us further and want to know more which further helps us to spread the word about our work and our aims.”

*Since 2013, Telford Crisis Support has operated a Foodbank in Telford and Wrekin to provide emergency food, toiletries and clothing to those most in need.

In partnership with the Telford Crisis Network, the charity ensures that service users can get the help they need as quickly as possible and without being passed around from agency to agency.

Food reaches people through our network of collection points via our team of volunteer drivers and through partners who have referred their clients.