A CAMPAIGN to raise enough money to fund pallets of food for each of Northampton’s community larders and its homeless centre has smashed its fundraising target.
Law firm Franklins Solicitors, the Northampton Hope Centre, and the food distribution charity His Church have announced that their Pallets of Hope initiative has beaten its £5,500 target to pay for 11 pallets of Christmas essentials including food and warm clothing, with a total retail value of £27,500.
Franklins partner Andrea Smith (pictured above, second from left) took part in both the New York Marathon and half-marathon Amazing Northampton Run to contribute to the total. “The work of both His Church and the Northampton Hope Centre are invaluable to making a tangible difference to communities,” she said.
“As the use of larders continues to increase, the importance of ensuring they are stocked to meet the demand cannot be underestimated. Food is a basic need and it is a privilege for Franklins Solicitors to be able to support and make a difference. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my runs and the Pallets of Hope campaign.”
The cost of living increase, coupled with debts, mean Christmas becomes a challenge rather than a celebration for many, said the Hope Centre’s marketing manager Kyra Williams. “This campaign will bring relief to so many with gifts, food and warm clothing. The campaign has been a huge success – we can’t thank Franklins Solicitors, Northants Food Reach and His Church enough for making this happen.”
His Church and Franklins Solicitors have also set up Northants Food Reach, a campaign encouraging Northamptonshire’s businesses to provide ongoing support to food banks and larders across the county.
Operations director Richard Humphrey said: “His Church provides creative solutions for a whole range of surplus food, clothes and supplies including toys. Thanks to our partnership with Franklins Solicitors, we have been able to redistribute 11 pallets of these wonderful items to support Hope Centre’s Community Larders and homeless centre.”
To find out more about how your business can support food banks beyond the festive season, visit the Northants Food Reach page on www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nh-foodreach.