Canford Chase residents volunteer to go hands-on at Dorset food bank

14 November 2024

Community-minded Canford Chase residents in Poole have gone hands-on to help families hit by food poverty in the Dorset town.

A party of willing volunteers from Canford Chase in Poole made a personal visit to Poole Food Bank’s hub at the St James’ Church Centre in Church Street, known locally as Jimmy’s.

Under the direction of project manager Ian Stoney and his team, they helped to sort and date donated food items ready for meal bags to be made up.

They also worked alongside fellow volunteers to check and categorise toiletries and non-food donations.

It was the third visit that residents at the home have made to the food bank this year.

One included the delivery of 30 packed lunches that residents Molly Thatcher, Barbara Rivett and Pamela Kateley prepared and brought on the home’s minibus.

Speaking after their latest hands-on volunteering experience, fellow residents Carol Brown and Ben Crofton highlighted the importance of the food bank to the community and were full of praise for the work of the team.

Carol said: “I didn’t realise quite how much help the food bank provides. They offer so many services, not just the food and nutrition side.”

Ben said: “It was a friendly environment to visit and meet people very much committed and doing great work.”

Companionship Team Leader Vicky Day, who accompanied Carol and Ben on the trip, said: “After a cuppa we got to work helping to sort some of the many donations they receive from local suppliers and businesses.

“We helped to date donations and sort them into categories ready for meal preparation bags to be made. These bags contain everything needed to make a nutritious meal.

“We aim to continue our support for the food bank through collections and visits in the run-up to Christmas.

“It’s always a humbling experience to visit and see what goes on. The team there put in so much hard work to help others in need.”

For more information on Poole Food Bank, visit www.faith-works.org.uk.