Press Release from Foodbank after their successful collection of food outside Tesco Stores:

Foodbank Collection at Tesco in Edinburgh Way, Harlow

Helping to feed local people in crisis!

Harlow foodbank held its first food collection at Tesco’s in Edinburgh Way, Harlow on Friday 24th & Saturday 25th September 2010 and received a staggering 112 large crates of donated food from customers shopping at the store.

An additional collection in August at Tesco’s in Church Langley, Harlow also received 110 crates of food and together Tesco’s have helped Harlow foodbank to collect over 2.5 tonnes of food which will go to people in crisis in Harlow.

“The current economic climate means that more and more local families are finding it difficult to put food on their table and it is important that the whole community in Harlow gets behind the foodbank project” says Gary Knott, Director of Community Services. “It’s not just people on low incomes who are feeling the pinch at the moment, increased redundancy and fewer jobs are having a real impact on local people and we’re seeing more people turning to the foodbank for help.  Special thanks to Tesco’s in Harlow and to their customers who clearly showed their community spirit and support."

Currently Harlow foodbank works in partnership with 43 churches, 33 front-line care professionals, 24 schools, supermarkets ASDA, Sainsbury’s & Tesco’s and other local businesses.

LOKnSTORE in Edinburgh Way are now providing extra free storage space for Harlow foodbank, which is a great help during the difficult economic climate.

The Harlow foodbank aims to help people through a short term crisis by providing emergency food parcels. The Harlow foodbank satellite centres also provides support and signposting to help combat the long term problem.

Up to the end of August 2010 Harlow foodbank has fed 1,565 people (970 adults & 595 children) with emergency food.

About Foodbank:

1. Food is given to people in crisis identified by front-line care professionals – Harlow Welfare Rights, CAB, ADAS, CDAT, Social Workers, Harlow Children Centre, Homestart Network, Church and Community Workers and many others.

2. Food is also given out to underpin the work of local support centres like Harlow & Broxbourne Women’s Aid, St Clare Hospice, Streets2Homes, Harlow Salvation Army, Occasio House and Harlow College.

3. The foodbank is an initiative of The Michael Roberts Charitable Trust (MRCT), a Christian based organisation, committed to launching life changing, community-based projects working in partnership with churches, schools, businesses and local people.

4. People wishing to donate food to the Harlow foodbank should contact

Gary Knott or Sue Mullis on 01279 724515 or 07734 128430

“Harlow people helping Harlow people in need”

Further Information: 

Contact: Gary Knott
Tel: 07734 128430

Email: garyknott@mrct.org.uk

Michael Roberts Charitable Trust (MRCT)
The Rainbow Centre
2 Wych Elm
Harlow, CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 724515