Food for Support

During the Covid-19 pandemic, more people have needed help due to reduced income and other factors.  In response, Northallerton Rotary Club established a Covid-19 fund as soon as the lockdown began.  With meetings in person not possible, Rotary weekly meetings are now held on Zoom, and members were invited to donate into the fund instead of paying for weekly lunches.

Hambleton Foodshare provides around 200 food parcels every month, collected weekly by recipients from the distribution point at the Living Room in Garthway Arcade, Northallerton. These parcels help in a variety of difficult situations often induced or worsened by Covid lockdown.  Reasons for need have included benefit and debt difficulties, relationship breakdown, sickness, loss of employment and homelessness.  The Rotary Club decided that this was a worthy charity to support, and recently President Chris Johnson handed a cheque for £1,000 to Alison Grainger, the coordinator of Hambleton Foodshare.  In expressing appreciation for the generous donation, Alison said: “The money will go a long way towards purchasing fresh food such as eggs, butter and cheese, to supplement the donations of durable food items left at collection points and in local supermarkets.  Over 100 volunteers are involved in supplying the food parcels.”

Photo: (left to right) Rotarian Jan Davison, Northallerton Rotary Club President Chris Johnson, and Hambleton Foodshare coordinator Alison Grainger.