Festive Food Pantry by Broadstairs care home and Ramsgate churches supports families in need

Chartwell House team at the food pantry event

A Festive Food Pantry appeal set up by Chartwell House Care Home in Broadstairs, and the churches under the Parish of St Lawrence has successfully supported more than 30 families.

An event hosted at St Christopher’s Church in Newington on Saturday( December 17) welcomed in need families and provided parcels of much needed festive food items and toys to make Christmas 2022, a little easier.

Donations were collected ahead of the event with individuals, community groups and local businesses giving generously to support those in food poverty.

Judith, from the parish, and Diane and Jude from Chartwell House

Speaking after the event, Festive Food Pantry Co-founder and Admissions Manager at Chartwell House Care Home, Jude Coveney, said: ““It was a fantastic day.  We made lots of families smile which at this time of year can be very difficult for those most in need. We were able to give some very much needed donations to families who had a real need for a gift of goodwill. This was a very emotionally charged event and we are truly thankful to all those who donated. I am very proud of everyone involved.”

Pantry volunteers

Items at the Festive Food Pantry included staples such as Christmas puddings, sprouts, toys for younger children, biscuits, crackers, cereals, jams, parsnips, sweets, pasta and more.

Ameet Kotecha is MD and Head of the Family at Boutique Care Homes, which donated 200 items to the Festive Food Pantry.

They said: “As a new business coming in to Broadstairs it was always our intention to champion good causes. We are delighted that one of the first we were able to support was the Festive Food Pantry. “To hear from Jude that 30 families benefited was extremely positive and we hope that all those who made use of the Festive Food Pantry are able to have a Merry Christmas.”

Chartwell House Care Home and the Parish of St Lawrence would like to publicly thank everyone who donated to this good cause including:

Morrisons £15 voucher

Waitrose Ramsgate £15 voucher

Tesco Extra Broadstairs £15 voucher

ASDA Broadstairs £15 voucher

Caremark Domiciliary Care – Food collection by staff, six bag donations.

Nash Farm (one of our suppliers) – Apples

Tesco Express Ramsgate – £30 of food donated

WI Broadstairs – donations (individuals)

Sainsbury Broadstairs – Hamper

Lidl – x2 bottles of bubbly

Boutique Care Homes – 200 Food Items.

Don and Diane – £20 donation

Parish Secretary – £20 donation

Chartwell House staff donations

MK Services (Mobile mechanic) £25 amazon voucher and a bottle of bubbly

Spenser House Food collection donation

Lidl Broadstairs – Trolley full of potatoes, sprouts and carrots

During the event volunteers also took food parcels out to those living on the streets in the Ramsgate as well as hand delivering to families in need around the Parish.

With a week to go until Christmas 2022, left-over donations have been taken to the Salvation Army to support even more families in need.

Jacqueline (Left) and Diane Collins, Home Manager at Chartwell House

Jacqueline Freestone, Community Programme Organiser, said “I know exactly where the apples would go, there is a local homeless man that will love them.”

Whilst delivering the items, volunteers at the Salvation Army were said to be “thrilled” with the donation.

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.