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Haverhill Foodbank feeds a record number of children at Christmas and receives a record amount of donated food




Two new monthly records were set at The Haverhill Foodbank last December after it fed more children and received more food donations than ever before.

The foodbank, part of REACH Community Projects, helped 730 cases of hardship in December - more than 240 of them children - but received 4.6 tonnes of food from donors.

The foodbank aside, REACH also helps with debt counselling, benefit applications, direct aid and mental health support.

Dean Marsland (left) and Edward O’Sullivan with some of the record tonnage of food donated toHaverhill Foodbank's. Submitted picture
Dean Marsland (left) and Edward O’Sullivan with some of the record tonnage of food donated toHaverhill Foodbank's. Submitted picture

Due to the spiralling cost of living and reduction in universal credit there has been a month-on-month increase in the numbers of people coming forward for the basics of life – food – and this has been matched by the most generous donations of food ever experienced.

Reviewing the figures, the CEO of REACH, Henry Wilson MBE, said: “While it’s so tragic to see so, so many individuals and families now driven towards REACH by such hardship I must express the sincere gratitude of the organisation to all those who have so generously stepped up with donations of over four tonnes of food to meet the needs.”

The highest ever volumes of food were all processed in REACH’s new warehouse which opened in November and where teams of volunteers and staff work hard to provide appropriately sized parcels for families, as well as those living alone.

REACH Community Projects CEO, Henry Wilson MBE. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2019
REACH Community Projects CEO, Henry Wilson MBE. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2019

The 4.6tons is enough, explained Henry, to feed 200 small families for about a week (a small family box weighs on average 23kg), therefore on current demand that’s 2.5 months supply.

Henry added: "REACH is all about partnerships and we rely so much upon the generosity of our donor partners in order to carry out our work.

The team at REACH Community Projects (bar two members) pictured last July: Left to right. Back row, Sandra Mann, Justine Cammiss-Strudwick, Henry Wilson, Jo Goodhall. Front; Philippa Waller, Ann Allen, Netta Record, Mollie Bacon and Corrine Sing. Contributed picture
The team at REACH Community Projects (bar two members) pictured last July: Left to right. Back row, Sandra Mann, Justine Cammiss-Strudwick, Henry Wilson, Jo Goodhall. Front; Philippa Waller, Ann Allen, Netta Record, Mollie Bacon and Corrine Sing. Contributed picture

"In fact, we anticipate that the coming months will bring an even greater need for both broader and deeper partnerships in this way as we continue to widen our scope into a much greater geographic area and with household bills going through the roof."

REACH currently operates in the Haverhill and Newmarket areas and encourages all those faced with difficulties (or anyone that would like to volunteer) to get in touch at, or contact Henry and his team on 01440 712950 or info@reachhaverhill.org.uk.