Food bank gets essential supplies for Christmas food parcels
published on 22 Dec 2023
Penrith food bank receives essential supplies for Christmas food parcels thanks to local running group
More than 70 runners took part in a food bank run to stock the shelves of a Penrith church and charity’s food bank ahead of the busy Christmas period.
The Salvation Army in Penrith received the much-needed donations for its well-attended food bank from members of local running group, Eden Runners, which decided to hand over the donations as part of a Food Bank Run initiative.
The group took to the streets of Penrith, with bags of donations in hand, pounding the pavements of the 10 kilometres route, starting at Penrith Rugby Union Football Club at Winters Park, calling in at The Salvation Army’s church and community centre on Hunters Lane to make their donations, before continuing their run.
Major Carole Donaldson, church leader of The Salvation Army in Penrith, and who accepted the donations on the church’s behalf, said: “We’re always in need of donations to our food bank and at this time of year we are particularly busy as demand increases and people’s finances are stretched with families struggling to put food on the table, pay energy bills and the social pressures of buying Christmas gifts for loved ones.
“We’re always more than willing to step in and offer that much needed support, but we can’t do it without the generous donations that we receive from our local community, which are greatly received as referrals continue to rise and donations take a dip as some people that used to help and donate are finding themselves pushed closer to poverty, a position they never thought they would be in.”
Runners carried the supplies of non-perishable goods in backpacks, carrier bags or simply in their hands and bought and chose the donations themselves.
John Myatt, a member of Eden Runners and also a volunteer at The Salvation Army food bank said: “Eden Runners are a big part of the Penrith community with over 400 members, many of whom have lived in the town all their lives so there is a strong sense of community and many have been affected by what goes on locally, knowing people are struggling.
“We all have a great urge to help others in any way that we can so supporting the food bank and teaming it with our passion for running seemed like a good way to do something positive whilst also supporting The Salvation Army which I have seen first-hand how much they help and how needed the services are.”
The Salvation Army in Penrith has a Just Giving page available for those wishing to support and donate to the church and charity specifically for its work locally which can be found at www.justgiving.com/penrith-salvation-army and whilst all donations are welcome people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.
