Ipswich charity Families in Need (FIND), which provides thousands of food parcels to people in crisis each year, has launched an appeal to raise £100,000 for a new base in Ipswich.
The East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star are backing the FIND 50 Lifeline Appeal which is calling for 50 workplaces, schools, groups or individuals to each raise £2,000 in 2018 so the vital work of FIND can continue.
The East of England Co-op, a long-term supporter of the charity, has been working in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council to identify a new location for the food bank and the £100,000 which is needed will help fund the necessary building works.
Ipswich PR agency Genesis is giving its services free of charge to run the appeal and Barnes Construction, quantity surveyors Castons, Hoopers Architects and Barker Gotelee solicitors are also working pro bono for FIND. The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Sarah Barber, has given her support to FIND by making it one of her three selected charities.
Maureen Reynel MBE, founder and Board Chair of the charity, said: “FIND already has strong support from the community but we need more help than ever to raise £100,000 for our new foodbank. With the help of Ipswich Borough Council we have identified a suitable site but it needs a lot of building work and refurbishment so this really is a lifeline appeal.”
Nick Denny, Joint Chief Executive of East of England Co-op which will be providing fixtures and fittings free of charge and labour in-kind for the new foodbank, said: “We’re very proud to have supported FIND for a number of years and pleased to continue to be part of their journey to ensure they can continue to provide their incredible services to the local community.”
Councillor David Ellesmere, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “The Council is very pleased to have helped identify a permanent new home for the charity where it can continue to grow and help people in real need. We wish them every success in their fundraising appeal.”
Penny Arbuthnot, director at Genesis PR, said: “Without FIND, many adults and children would simply go hungry and when we heard about the charity’s own desperate need of support we knew we had to help by launching this appeal. We’re calling for groups of employees in local firms, as well as schools and clubs, to help us raise £100,000 so that the charity’s vital work can continue for many years to come.”
FIND was established nearly thirty years ago by Maureen Reynel and since then the demand for food parcels from people in poverty and crisis has risen year on year. The charity now provides over 70 food parcels per week along with personal care items, bedding, furniture and other items where a person or family has none.
To run the service a small army of over 100 volunteers work six days per week checking and sorting food, collecting items from local stores, making up the food parcels and delivering them. This Christmas the charity is helping over 2,000 people in crisis living in Ipswich and the wider community by giving food parcels and Christmas gifts.
Donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries can be made to any local participating East of England Co-Op, Waitrose at Futura Park and Sainsbury’s at Warren Heath.
Cash can be donated through our website and any businesses, schools and clubs which would like to take part in FIND 50 fundraising and publicity should email FIND50@genesispr.co.uk.
