A community food bank helping needy residents is celebrating being given a Christmas present that went beyond their wildest dreams.
On December 16, the two founders of Basingstoke Food Aid 4 U were thrilled at the prospect of receiving a donation of food boxes following a Christmas appeal for help.
What Tracey Gauntlett, 30 and her fiancee Martin Schroder, 34 did not expect was a £5,000 cheque on top of the festive donation of 32 boxes.
A tearful Ms Gauntlett said: “This donation means so much to us. We have fought tooth and nail to get this up and running and to make sure that we can do something good for the town.
“Last week we were down to our last few pennies and we were really struggling to just get through. So this is an incredible donation.”
The cash and food boxes were donated by Elanco Animal Health based in Priestly Road.
The companies campaign was spearheaded by company scientist Anna-Leigh Heffron.
The 32-year-old from South Ham said she was inspired to support the food bank because of the companies corporate citizenship program.
The company declared that it will focus its charitable branch to fighting world hunger – but Ms Heffron said it was just as important to support a cause closer to home.
She said: “Since hearing about the work of the food bank it really brought the message home and made us realise that a lot of people were going hungry right here on our own doorstep.
“So finding a local scheme to help was a preference. As a result it was something that got people motivated and enthusiastic to help out.”
Earlier this month the Basingstoke Observer reported how the Eastrop Centre food bank's future looked bleak.
A surge in demand had seen stocks dwindle and emergency shops ate up the last remaining cash. Before the donation, the organisation was down to its last £500 – set aside to pay off rent and the £150 weekly shops.
But Ms Gauntlett said: “It's like all our Christmases have come at once, for once its great to be unable to move around the office.
“There is not better feeling in the world knowing that all your hard work has paid off and all the blood, sweat and tears put into something you believe in was worth it.
Since launching in September the food bank works with over 30 partner agencies, such as housing associations and help groups, who give vouchers for needy residents, letting them pick up the a weeks supply of food.
