Conwy food charity thanks public for incredible generosity

Sep 9 2010 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

THE people of Conwy have been praised for their ‘incredible generosity’ by a charity who delivers food parcels to needy families.

Two weeks ago the Weekly News ran a story about Cymru Community Foodshare.

The charity, based at the Bryn Morfa caravan park in Conwy, made a desperate plea to ask for more donations of food and money as they were running out of both.

Foodshare delivers food parcels to local families and people who literally wouldn’t eat if it wasn’t for the deliveries. The parcels contain three days worth of food including bread, baby food, nappies, and a variety of canned food.

Over 300 such deliveries have been made by the charity, which is entirely run by volunteers. They deliver mostly to people who live in bed and breakfast accommodation. Many have recently lost their jobs and are waiting for their benefits, which can take days to come through. This is when families can go hungry.

One recent delivery was to a family with three young children, and the volunteer discovered they hadn’t eaten for more than 24 hours. Families are referred to the charity from social services or the Job Centre.

If the family still don’t have any money to buy food after three days of provisions, then the charity can deliver another food parcel, which costs £15.

Since the story was published, the charity was inundated with donations of food and cash.

One of the volunteers Michelle Garner said: “Because of the story in the Weekly News we have refilled the storeroom as we have had so many donations of food.

“We’ve also kindly had over £1,000 worth of monetary donations.

“Amongst the donations is £200 from theŠLlandudno andŠConwy Summer Darts League.

“Lots of people are also sponsoring a food parcel on a regular basis.”

Michelle added: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Conwy and Gwynedd who have also sent in money.”

To donate food or money, contact the charity by email at ccfoodshare@gmail.com or alternatively food or donations can be dropped off at the charity’s storeroom at Bryn Morfa Holiday Park, Bangor Road, Conwy, or Princes Drive Baptist Church in Colwyn Bay or SureHope Church in Old Colwyn.

To contact Cymru Community Foodshare, phone them on 07787 940623.