Struggling families across South Holland are being offered a lifeline thanks to two kind hearted women.
Steph Jennings (30) and Sarah Phoenix (35) have just launched the Spalding and Surrounding Baby Bank, off the back of the success of the Holbeach Heroes Covid Bank which Sarah started in October.
The idea is for people to donate unwanted baby items to help those struggling to make ends meet.
Mum-of-four Steph said: “We’re still in the early stages but I saw how successful the Covid Bank has been and when Sarah mentioned that a lot of things that have been donated are for babies and young children, I thought maybe there was a need for a Baby Bank.
“I put something on Facebook and got a good response. It seems there are services out there but they are not immediately available and if you’ve just lost your job and you have young children, waiting to meet criteria might not be an option.
“We want to help bridge the shortfall, for example, people who can afford milk and nappies but are stretching them to last until the next pay day.
“We really want people to come forward if we can help – please don’t be too proud to ask.”
As well as donations of new items, Steph, of Moulton Chapel, will be posting details of individual needs, including secondhand goods, on Facebook.
She is also hoping to build up a selection of larger items, such as pushchairs, that can be loaned out in the short term.
Sarah, of Holbeach, who has four children, started the Covid Bank to help people struggling at Christmas and has now helped more than 100 families with food, clothes, furniture, Christmas presents, meals, money, or just someone to talk to.
She said: “Initially the idea was to ask for a few donations of food and presents to help people at Christmas and before I knew it there were 300 people in the group all offering donations.
“At one point I had six 7ft Christmas trees in my house for people without!
“I received a message from a woman whose husband had been made redundant. She couldn’t afford any Christmas presents and had nowhere to turn. I managed to sort Christmas for them thanks to the amazing people locally.
“Since then I’ve got Tesco and Morrisons onboard and the Holbeach Food Bank have been brilliant.
“The community spirit is amazing. I post something on Facebook and get so many offers of help. One man even gave me £100 to buy bits to donate which meant I could help six families.”
People who have items to donate can post them on the Covid Bank’s Facebook page and people in need can get in contact directly.
If Sarah is made aware of a specific family that needs support she posts the details on Facebook. At the moment she is appealing for help for a heavily pregnant mum and her son who are in a refuge with very few possessions.
If you can volunteer to help out with either projects, or if you need support, Steph and Sarah would love to hear from you.
You can message Sarah by searching ‘Holbeach Hero’s Covid Bank’ on Facebook.
To get in touch with Steph, call 07458 385903, email [email protected] or search ‘Spalding and Surrounding Baby Bank’ on Facebook.
As well as donations the women would like to hear from anyone who can help in any way, particularly with storage for the donated goods.
