Broadstairs care home teams up with Ramsgate churches to provide food packages for families in need

The team from Chartwell care home

Chartwell House Care Home in Broadstairs has joined forces with the churches of Ramsgate’s Parish of St Lawrence to launch The Festive Food Pantry, providing food packages to support families coping with poverty this Christmas.

An event will be hosted at St Christopher’s Church in Newington between 10am and 2pm on Saturday December 17 with donations being taken at the Parish of St Laurence Office.

Those in need this Christmas will be able to attend St Christophers Church and collect a festive food package with goodies and staple items to make the festive period in 2022 a little easier. Items will include Christmas puddings and yule logs along with essentials such as stuffing, crackers and mince pies.

Chartwell House and the Parish of St Lawrence are requesting that local businesses consider supporting the community project by donating a variety of Christmas food items to be included in the packages. They say even the smallest donation would be gratefully received and will have a positive impact on those families in food poverty this Christmas.

Jude Coveney, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House and a co-founder of the project, said: “The Festive Food Pantry is a chance for the staff at Chartwell House and (owners) Boutique Care Homes to have the opportunity of supporting our community during what is a difficult time for many families.

“With the cost of living increasing so dramatically Christmas in 2022 could be one of the hardest for many years. It is a privilege to collaborate with the Parish of St Lawrence on this project and it is important to Chartwell House to be actively involved in the community, ensuring that we give back at every opportunity.”

Judith Andrews, Anna Chaplain of St Laurence Parish, added: “The Parish of St Laurence is so pleased to be partnering with Chartwell House in the community of Newington.  We have plans to reopen St Christopher’s Church in 2023, and this Festive Food Pantry is a great way to welcome people back into the church!”

The parish is made up of St Laurence Church, St Catherine’s in Manston, St Christopher’s in Newington, St Mary’s in Cliffsend and St Mark’s in Ramsgate.

To support the Festive Food Pantry, care provider Boutique Care Homes will be donating 30 food packages in support of the initiative.

Ameet Kotecha, Head of the Boutique Care Homes Family, said: “Seeing our team at Chartwell House and the Parish of St Lawrence, supporting the community makes me immensely proud. At Boutique Care Homes we endeavour to play an active role in ensuring that we work closely with our community partners in giving back and supporting those most in need. This Festive Food Pantry is an inspirational initiative we are proud to support them with this donation.”

If you would like to make a donation the Parish of St Laurence Office at High Street, St Lawrence, will be collecting during the week from December 12 between 9am and 11am.

2 Comments

  1. Remind me, what century are we living in? Oh! right the 19th! What with working poor having to use food banks, and people huddling together in “Warm Hubs”, the UK could be mistaken for being a 3rd world country! Roll on the next general election, so we can get these useless Tory’s out!

  2. Like Dumpton says – this ‘new normal’ is getting way too normal. But it’s great what Chartwell House and the churches are doing. Were none of the care home residents involved though? Perhaps there are some residents who’d be willing and able to help somehow.

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