We all lead busy lives, but volunteers from Shildon Alive and Woodhouse Close Church found time on Friday 27th May to bag-pack at Tesco in Bishop Auckland to raise funds for their respective food banks.
The collaboration between the two organisations has strengthened with time, providing much needed support for local people going through difficult times.
Demand for their services is growing all the time, in particular during school holidays when children are at home and not receiving a school dinner.
These volunteers were supported by the Mayor of Shildon, Cllr Trish Pemberton, and the Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Lee Brownson.
This event was one of Lee Brownson’s last before handing over the chains of office to his successor.
Members of the public, as always, were very generous, with some donating even after they declined the offer to have their shopping packed for them.
A total of £423 was collected and will be used to supplement donations of food and other items that the food banks have already received.
Cllr Trish Pemberton said: “One of the best things about being Mayor of Shildon is the opportunities it gives you to meet people who care about their communities.
“It never ceases to amaze me just how generous local people are, both with their time and their money.”
Shildon Alive and Woodhouse Close would also like to sincerely thank Tesco for allowing them to bag-pack in their store, as well as the volunteers who gave their time and the public who contributed to the collection.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer at either organisation should contact Shildon Alive, at their base in Church Street in Shildon, or Woodhouse Close Church directly.
Donations of food and other items such as shampoo and babies’ nappies would also be gratefully received.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
