We were delighted to donate £652.62 to our charity partner, Friends of the Homeless in Fareham and Gosport Foodbank this month. This was following our dentist, Kathryn Bernowicz, raising £326.31 in sponsorship running the Great South Run. The practice then generously matched this amount.
Speaking to the Foodbank after the donation, they explained that this amount would help them enormously to provide food and other essentials to the 60 – 70 referrals a week that they are supplying. They have secured bulk discounts with a supplier which means that our donation could buy 1000 bottles of shower gel, 1200 jars of pasta, 1000 litres of milk or pay a month’s rent in one of their locations. (They have two bases – one in Fareham and one in Gosport).
In common with many food banks nationally, the foodbank operates a referral system through a variety of agencies; there are more than 150 such agencies in Fareham and Gosport. If you need food support, a good way to get a referral is through Citizens Advice in Fareham or Gosport.
In supporting people, the foodbank has always sought to ensure that they do not create dependency and therefore operate policies that aim to prevent this, which includes monitoring the number of referrals per client. If there is a need, they will always put the needs of the individual first.
After getting a referral, you can collect seven days’ worth of food and toiletries from the foodbank locations in Fareham or Gosport. This service is completely free of charge.
If you would like to donate food or toiletry items to the foodbank, we can take them for you at the practice. Just bring in your items and give them to reception.
Items that are most needed are UHT milk, cereals, tinned meats, tinned vegetables, coffee and squash, sugar, jam, packets of cuppa soup, toilet rolls, toiletries, nappies, sanitary products, washing powder and washing up liquid.
Alternatively, you can donate cash and also give gift aid. Donate now: https://friendsofthehomeless.enthuse.com/donate#!
