Dear Friends
Happy New Year.
I am sure that we’ve all heard it said before – but twelve months ago none of us would have thought we would be in lockdown as we start 2021 – but we all know that is where we are, and not for the first time. 2020 was a challenging year for many people and organisations and as we start this year I just want to say a big Thank you to everyone who has in any way been part of Dover Foodbank over the last year. We have been amazed and almost overwhelmed by the increased level of support which has made it possible for the foodbank to continue to help people in need.
And it will probably not be any surprise that 2020 was our busiest year ever – having been privileged to provide three days’ worth of support sufficient for 4,346 local people. That is 28% up on 2019 – and it has meant a little under 39 tonnes of food etc being supplied direct to people in need – well done to everyone who has donated / sorted / delivered this vast quantity of support. April 2020 was actually our busiest month ever, with last month, December, coming a fairly close second when, in the run up to Christmas, we delivered 160 Christmas Hampers in addition to our usual food etc. We are very thankful to Deal Area Foodbank for stepping in to help us with deliveries between Christmas and New Year so that our warehouse and delivery teams could have a full week break – much appreciated it was too!
So what has 2021 got in store for us? Firstly, we are not really expecting any significant reduction in the amount of support we are called upon to provide, although it would be great if there were fewer people in need, but that is something outside of our control. Secondly, for the time being we will continue to provide a delivery-only service to people’s doorsteps rather than re-open our distribution centres. Thirdly, we will continue to work with a wide range of local professionals to identify and support people who are in need and who would appropriately benefit from the support we can offer. The professionals who work with us are some of our unsung heroes, identifying and assessing need and contacting us so that we can help; like so many other people we couldn’t operate without them. Fourthly, our warehouse will continue to operate three mornings a week receiving / sorting / storing, and alongside our delivery teams – distributing food as needed. And fifthly – we are trusting that local people will continue to support the work of the foodbank as appropriate so that we can continue to provide that vital link between those able to help and those who need that help. There are many people playing a part in this – and every one is a valued participant in this work.
Thank you to all, once again, for your continued support and, as always, do please feel free to circulate / forward / share / distribute the contents of this e-mail. And don’t forget – if you have any questions you want answered, please send me an e-mail about it and I will try to answer in the next week or so.
With kindest regards and every best wish – keep safe and keep well.
Jonathan and of the Dover Foodbank team
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Sponge puddings
Dried Pasta and Sauce meals
Custard – tinned
Fruit juice
Pasta Sauce
Milk – UHT
Spaghetti – tinned
Fish – tinned
Toilet rolls
Cat food
We currently have plenty of rice and pasta