Penzance Mayor donates 50 Christmas food boxes to poorest families in Cornwall
More people in the Duchy are finding themselves in food poverty following the coronavirus pandemic
50 Christmas food boxes have been donated by the Mayor of Penzance to help some of the poorest families in West Penwith to enjoy a Christmas Day dinner.
For many, Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and rich food. But for those families living in food poverty or those who have recently found themselves unemployed as a result of coronavirus, it can be a time of great difficulty and anxiety.
With so many events cancelled this year due to the coronavirus, the boxes will be funded by the Mayoral Allowance which is normally used to reimburse the Mayor when representing the town at civic and community events.
“I am pleased and proud to be able to bring a little Christmas cheer – especially at the end of this strange and stressful year,
“These boxes - which contain enough food to make a Christmas dinner and lots of treats and nibbles - will help to support those families who are struggling and enable them to have a better Christmas than they might otherwise have had.
“People are really struggling and this small action might make all the difference to a family this Christmas.”
Councillor Nicole Broadhurst, Mayor of Penzance
25 food boxes have been donated to Food for Families Penzance, a local organisation working to reduce food poverty in Penzance and the surrounding areas of West Penwith.
The Community Interest Company (CIC), based in Treneere, has distributed thousands of food parcels to local families in need since the beginning of the first national lockdown in March.
As Christmas approaches and many more families are driven into food poverty due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Food for Families Penzance is preparing to step in to ensure that as many families as possible do not go hungry over the festive season.
“We would like to say thank you to the Mayor of Penzance for supporting such a vital cause through this uncertain time of Covid-19” said Mo Williams from Food for Families Penzance.
“The hampers will be such a surprise and a lifeline to many in need for the festive season.”
Spokesperson, Cornwall Christmas Box
The remaining 25 boxes will be donated to Cornwall Christmas Box, organised by Three Rivers Vineyard Church.
For the past 18 years, the Cornwall Christmas Box scheme has been collecting Christmas dinner boxes to give away to those most in need through the Social Services Team at Cornwall Council.
In 2019, 1,200 boxes were donated which provided hope and joy to many families across the Duchy. The need this year is greater than ever as many families face a bleak winter.
"Cornwall Christmas box is so grateful for the help from the Mayor in collecting food for some of the most needy families in our communities.
“This year the need is even greater, and our aim is that no family should go hungry, especially at Christmas time.”
Ben Tyler, Cornwall Christmas Box.
Donation drop-off points for Food for Families include:
- Sainsbury's Penzance
- The Middle Shop (5 Chyanclare, St Clare Street, TR18 2PG)
For further details contact Food For Families, call 07925 298587 or visit the Food For Families Penzance website here.
Donation drop-off points for Cornwall Christmas Box in West Cornwall include:
- Whole Again Communities (Treneere Estate, Penzance)
- St Meriadoc CofE Junior Academy
- Redruth Library
- Salvation Army, St Ives
- St Ives Infants School
- St Uny Primary School
For further details contact Cornwall Christmas Box, email hello@cornwallchristmasbox.co.uk or visit the Cornwall Christmas Box website here.