More than 300 families in Penrith and the surrounding area will be getting extra support with food and toys over the festive holiday.
From its base in the town’s Hunter Lane, The Salvation Army has been busy preparing seven-day meal hampers of non perishable goods, plus Christmas treats, which families or individuals in need will be collecting to help them make ends meet.
Major Carole Donaldson said: “The demand for support continues, but equally does the blessing of people donating financially, items or their time. We have a lot of volunteers who give their time.”
On Wednesday, those volunteers included 11 sixth form students from Penrith’s Ullswater Community College.
Year 13 student Holly Keltie-Dargue said the school takes part in the Salvation Army’s Christmas collection every year and this time they were able to deliver just over 80 full boxes of items — many more than last year — which had been donated by staff, pupils and their parents.
Holly, who studies child development, said that as part of their course they do assemblies for staff and other students about the work which is carried out in the community to help those who may be struggling due to financial pressures.
Having researched what types of items were most needed by The Salvation Army — which runs a year-round food bank — Holly said they did presentations, listing the kinds of things urgently needed.
As part of the child development course students learn about poverty, deprivation and children’s health and how different types of food are needed by children at different ages.
The collection started during the first week back after the October half-term. As well as food, toiletries, baby items, toys and gifts, a lot of Lego had been collected at the school.
Jenni Davidson, who is also a Year 13 student, said: “We know times are difficult (for everybody) at the minute — so to collect 80 boxes is a big achievement.
“It is all about helping the community,” she said.
“Penrith is not a big town so it is important to help everybody who needs it, especially at Christmas.”
Holly added that UCC has about 1,500 students, so if everybody brings one thing, that’s 1,500 food items. “Our classrooms have been full for weeks,” she said.
Major Donaldson said: “We will support over 300 families in Penrith and the surrounding area, including Alston, with seven-day meal hampers, plus Christmas treats. They all get a selection box of chocolates, plus toys and gifts for every child.”
Penrith Salvation Army and the community had backed a Be a Star! toy donation drive, which was in addition to the food bank, which was still ongoing.
From 20th November to 24th December people are being asked to support the community with a little extra help this Christmas by donating a new toy or gift.
“We want to make sure that every home has food so they have a nourishing meal and as far as the toys and gifts are concerned it is just vital that every child knows that they and their family matters.
“We do it all very confidentially and people come and collect the boxes at different times, so we don’t have a queue of people coming, to try and keep it private,” said Major Donaldson. The work, she said, was part of the Salvation Army’s mission and ministry.
