Goldthorpe issues urgent appeal for school holiday food donations

The Salvation Army in Goldthorpe is issuing an urgent appeal for donations to help it feed children over the summer holidays.

The church and charity in Straight Lane will be providing food parcels and lunches to children who would normally access free school meals during the six-week break. 

They are urging the local community to ‘buy a tin and chuck it in’ to help them ensure that children don’t go hungry as demand soars due to continually high food prices. 

Territorial Envoy Alison Sykes, who leads Goldthorpe Salvation Army with support from Community Programme Co-ordinator Jackie Kenning, said: “The summer holidays are an anxious time for families who struggle financially because the kids are no longer guaranteed a hot meal for lunch as they would be during term time. 

“We’re finding that low income families, many of whom are working or have seen changes to the benefits they are entitled to, are not able to afford the basics so are coming to us for help. 

“We provide food parcels at our food bank and breakfast, lunches and snacks for the little ones from our centre each week, but we can only do this if people are kind enough to donate to us. 

“We’ve already had businesses step in with cash donations, which really helps as we can use that to buy fresh fruit, veggies and yoghurts to encourage healthier eating, but are are in particular need of tinned items which make up the bulk of a food parcel. 

“That’s why we’ve launched our ‘buy a tin, chuck it in’ campaign. You may see baskets around the town, in places like the library, gyms and schools. We’d ask that if you’re doing your shopping and can afford to buy an extra tin to put into one of our baskets, it would make such a difference. Thank you, we are so grateful for your support.” 

They are in particular need of tins of soup, beans, tomatoes, sauces, as well as pasta, rice, cereal, dried foods, and long life milk. 

Goldthorpe Salvation Army are also teaming up with churches across Goldthorpe, as part of Dearne Churches Together, to run family activity days on Wednesdays throughout the holidays. 

These will provide fun, free outdoor activities, games and crafts as well as lunches and snacks from The Salvation Army building and the nearby railway embankment on Wednesday 5 August and 26 August between 11am and 1pm. To book in contact Julie Turner 07729 421405 or email julie@gpcchurch.co.uk

Goldthorpe Salvation Army runs a food bank on a Monday, wellbeing sessions on Wednesdays, and a community drop in on a Friday. You can find out more about Goldthorpe Salvation Army or make a monetary donation here 

Local businesses can also request to host a box for ‘bring a tin and chuck it in’ to collect donations on behalf of Goldthorpe Salvation Army. Call 01709 898847 to find out more.