Fareham Borough Council would like to thank the Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank for providing vital food supplies for those in need. The Basics Bank was forced to temporarily close last week as a number of its volunteers identified as vulnerable. Despite its closure the organisation worked with the Council and local voluntary groups to ensure that none of its food was wasted.
All food has now been moved ready for distribution
On Monday a large group of Acts of Kindness volunteers spent the day collecting and transporting many tonnes of supplies from the Basics Bank in Fareham and put it in storage in a warehouse provided by Fareham Borough Council
Yesterday the Council mobilised a team of officers to collect several more tonnes of food from the Basics Bank storage facility in Segensworth and transferred it to its newly set up distribution centre. Acts of Kindness and Waypoint Church will play a crucial role in helping to ensure that essential food is delivered to those in need across the Borough
Since 2003 the Basics Bank has been providing practical help such as food and toiletries for people in crisis in a caring and welcoming environment. In the last year alone they have helped nearly five thousand people. They will reopen to continue their vital work as soon as it is safe for them to do so.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Seán Woodward, said:
“The coronavirus pandemic has created enormous challenges for every element of society including the voluntary sector. We know it was an extremely difficult decision for the Basics Bank to take to close last week, but the health and wellbeing of their volunteers is important. I would like to thank the Basics Bank for their agreement to ensure their supplies will still go to people who need it and for their hard work over the last 17 years. I know this hard work will continue once the pandemic is over.
"It was wonderful to see first-hand our community pulling together on Monday to move vast quantities of food and I am pleased that Council staff were able to continue that effort yesterday. This work is critical to ensure that those most in need are able to receive the food they require to enable them to stay safely at home.”
Acts of Kindness can be contacted on 07766 521314 or ActsofKindnessTeam@outlook.com
Waypoint Church can be contacted on 07934726212 or help@waypointchurch.org.uk