With escalating costs and increased demand for support, the Coed Mawr Food Bank launches its Christmas campaign in cooperation with Watkin Property Ventures.
They aim to raise funds to provide additional supplies to local families struggling to put food on the table over Christmas. Through the campaign volunteers are appealing to Bangor residents and businesses to contribute what they can to ensure that families facing the prospect of going without have some certainty during the festive period.
Christine King from Coed Mawr Community Centre explains: “We are seeing more and more local families coming to us, struggling to meet day to day costs – and we all know that Christmas brings with it even more pressure. This is why it’s so important that we all come together to do what we can to help. We have set up a JustGiving page so that people can donate. We know that times are hard for everyone, so we are grateful for any donation no matter how small.
“We are so grateful to Watkin Property Ventures for their support – it makes all the difference and means that we can help more people in need. We have run a campaign like this for several years and have seen for ourselves the difference it can make over what can be a difficult time especially if you are struggling financially. We work with local food suppliers to make up food parcels and have a small group of volunteers who help us distribute them each year. “
Run by local volunteers from Coed Mawr Community Centre, the food bank was set up in 2016 and provides essential support and food parcels to residents. The group works with local supermarkets and have seen an increase in the number of people who depend on the food bank following the pandemic and the more recent increase in the cost of living.
In addition to the monthly support it provides, Watkin Property Ventures has agreed to match fund each pound raised during the Christmas Campaign – with a target of £2,500 set.
Mark Watkin Jones said: “The team at Coed Mawr Food Bank work hard and play an important role locally, they do so much more than distribute food. They are close to the community and are always ready to listen and provide emotional support when necessary. We were only too happy to support this campaign and I would urge people to give what they can through the Just Giving page.”
The centre is currently distributing between 40 and 50 food bags per week with five meals and breakfast cereals in each. This equates to over 1,000 meals a month. The launch of the Christmas campaign coincides with the bank reaching a total of 40,000 meals distributed.
