With lockdown measures now being slowly eased, the decision has been made to wind down the Donate A Dinner appeal.
The Spalding and South Holland Voice teamed up with Coun Harry Drury back in March to launch the campaign, which aimed to ensure that no child went hungry while schools were closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Thanks to the generous support of readers and local businesses, over the last few months we’ve been able to help numerous groups and individuals.
We asked for donations of storecupboard essentials that could be distributed to struggling families throughout the district.
A collection point was set up at Sainsbury’s Spalding store and the donations started rolling in.
We also received amazing donations from A Country Kitchen Meals on Wheels, the Fun Farm and Sainsbury’s itself.
Donated goods have been given to foodbanks at Spalding, Holbeach, Gosberton and Crowland, along with Lincolnshire County Council’s children’s services and various individuals.
Coun Drury said: ”I would like to personally thank each and every person, organisation and community group who have supported our appeal in any way.
“Each donation, no matter how small has gone to support vulnerable families across our district in their hour of need, throughout the unprecedented times we have and are experiencing.
“We must not forget that we are still fighting this pandemic, however, organisations having now had time to build resilience ad have an improved ability to continue to roll out support to the most vulnerable.
“Although we are winding down this specific appeal set up to support the community, I feel it important to continue to encourage those who wish to, in continuing to support their local foodbanks.
“We may be slowly working through the stages of coming out of a lockdown, but we will continue to experience the effects of the pandemic for some time to come.
“Finally, I would like to give special thanks to Rachel and The Voice newspaper, and Paul, nanager of Sainsbury’s, Spalding. Without the support of both, we would not have had the outreach and therefore success in reaching so many people.”
Rachel added: “The response to the appeal has been amazing and we can’t thank those who supported it enough – your generosity has made a huge difference.”
