Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) is inviting local residents to join forces and help those in need this Christmas.
From families struggling to make ends meet to those who find themselves homeless, together we can brighten up their Christmas.
Through HCF’s
Love Herts appeal, a donation of £5 or more could help feed a local child living in poverty, provide a hot meal on Christmas day to one of Hertfordshire’s rough sleepers or go towards helping a family buy a basic appliance such as a washing machine or a child’s bed.
Helen Gray, Director of Hertfordshire Community Foundation said: “Christmas can be a time of great joy but for some of our residents and neighbours it is going to be an incredibly difficult time of the year. With 10% of the county’s population living in areas of deprivation we are keen to do more this Christmas to help those in need. This is why Hertfordshire Community Foundation, a county wide charity that supports local organisations and groups, is calling on local residents to ‘give where you live’ and donate £5 or more.
We appreciate there are many charities calling for support during the festive season but by giving to Hertfordshire Community Foundation you are helping local people who may live only streets away from you. Your donation, however large or small, will bring hope to those in greatest need. Every week, in the run up to Christmas, we will be profiling one of the charities we work with to inform you about the need in our county. So, please consider giving generously."
One such charity that is supported by HCF is the St. Albans and District foodbank. It helps over 40 local individuals and families a week and demand will increase in the run up to Christmas. Many people are faced with the choice between eating and heating their home. This year is set to be an even more challenging one because of the impact of universal credit rollout on family finances. Last year, the foodbank gave out 2053 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis.
Sarah (not her real name) a victim of domestic abuse, who is a mum to two children aged 10 years old and 12 years old, and lives in St. Albans with her family, shares her story: “I was on low wages and struggling financially to make ends meet. The support worker who was helping my family gave me vouchers for a foodbank and that’s how I came to the St. Albans and District foodbank for help. I have used their services on and off for over two years and they have done so much for me and my family. I don’t know where I would be without their help.
“They are really friendly and have not just helped me with food supplies but also with financial advice, signposting me to relevant groups and even with personal issues. I know they are a phone call away when I am feeling low. Last Christmas, if it wasn’t for them my children would not have known it was Christmas. They brought us a food hamper with a turkey, fruit, biscuits, sweets and even presents for the children. I am so grateful to the team and would encourage anyone who is struggling to seek their help and support HCF’s Love Herts appeal.”
Emma Dalton, Foodbank Manager, St. Albans and District Foodbank said: “Foodbanks offer food, and most importantly, hope, to people in crisis – one mum told us that she was relieved as her daughter’s first Christmas was taken care of with help from the foodbank. No child should have to go to sleep hungry on Christmas. Please support Love Herts so that we and other foodbanks in the county can continue to provide this invaluable service.”
If you would like to help Hertfordshire’s most vulnerable this Christmas please visit our
justgiving page . Alternatively please send a cheque payable to ‘Hertfordshire Community Foundation’ to Foundation House, 2-4 Forum Place, Fiddlebridge Lane, Hatfield Herts AL10 0RN.