Staff and volunteers from the Midland Langar Seva Society
Tuesday, January 5th, 2021
Rugby charities working with some of the town’s most isolated and vulnerable residents this Christmas have been given a helping hand by the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
The Society has shared out £5,000 between four local charities working with people in need – many of whom have been affected by the events of 2020, whether financially or in terms of being isolated from family and friends.
The money is part of a wider £25,000 shared across the Heart of England’s trading area of Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire to help the most vulnerable members of society over the festive period.
Rugby Foodbank, which works with some of those most in need in the area, received £2,000.
The money is being put towards general funds, ensuring the Foodbank can continue in its work over the festive season.
John Hemmings co-ordinates the foodbank. He said: “Although we spend the majority of our money on food we also have to buy bags to put the food and pay for the running costs – the fuelling and maintaining – of the foodbank van. Also crates, shelves and equipment for our warehouse.
He said: “We didn’t know anything about this money so it has come as a pleasant surprise. It all helps to keep us running. As well as our running costs we will use the money to provide people with a balanced content of food in their food parcels.
John said the Foodbank enjoyed a successful relationship with the Society, with regular donations of food coming from customers who shop at branches of The Co-operative including Long Lawford, Old Bilton, New Bilton and Hillmorton.
The Society also made donations of £1,000 to Hope 4, which works with homeless people, Midland Langar Seva Society, which also works with homeless and vulnerable people, and the Benn Partnership Centre, who will help people battling socio-economic challenges or health problems.
Jo Dyke, Community and Membership Adviser at the Heart of England Co-operative Society, said: “There are so many fantastic causes in Nuneaton and the surrounding area, working tirelessly to combat hunger and poverty and to help struggling families to feed their children, especially at Christmas.
“Poverty and hunger are among the issues which we know are close to the hearts of our members and customers who give so generously throughout the year. No-one should go without food and a few festive treats over Christmas, so we are delighted to support these fantastic causes who work so hard all year round to make life a little easier for people less fortunate than themselves.”
Back to newsline