Traidcraft

Looking back at my last update written several weeks ago I note that in the 3rd paragraph I said!

 

“We must hope that with the appointment of a new Prime Minister on Monday/Tuesday that some further steps will be taken to help those who need it most.”

 

A good example, if I needed one, to be careful what you wish for! Just when it seemed that things couldn’t get more difficult they proceeded to do so. Whilst the announcement of the steps to be taken to cap the unit prices of Gas and Electricity were welcome we should remember that these prices are still significantly higher than in the past and will hit those with the least ability to pay them the hardest. The subsequent melt down in the financial markets following the mini budget, had very negative impacts on interest rates, inflation etc etc. The downstream impact on the demand at food banks will be significant as will the likely reduction of donations caused by the “belt tightening” which will inevitably happen to many current donors as their circumstances become more difficult. So I hesitate to say that with the appointment of our next new Prime Minister last Tuesday things may get better, I truly hope that they do!

 

On a brighter note the Harvest gift collections that our local church together with many other churches in the Chiltern Food Bank catchment has been significant and gone a long way to rebuilding their food stocks which had shrunk over the last months. We continue to support the food bank by fulfilling as far as we are able their specific requests and our collective contributions to date stand at £ 56,500.00 thanks to your unbelievable generosity.

 

We are again encouraging our supporters to sponsor 1 or more Meaningful Advent Calendars, last year we supplied 150 and aim to repeat that if we possibly can.

 

The situation for the Chiltern Food bank remains challenging, they are so grateful for all the help we provide but are aware of the growing demands they know they will face later in this coming winter. I remain confident that with your help we will continue to give them all the support we can.

 

Your continuing support is both humbling and outstanding and really appreciated by those people who are receiving support via the Chiltern Food bank. Throughout all of these challenges your generous support has been fundamental in enabling those in most need to be given a helping hand and again demonstrating the value of our service allowing the Chiltern Food Bank to provide a balanced range of goods in support of their clients. Thank you so much.

 

We feel that we want to continue to do what we can and remain eternally grateful for your support without which this work could not continue.

 

Thank you and stay well.

 

Margaret & Bill Dykes