In times like these, it’s food banks and the people who run and volunteer at them that make me have hope for humanity. I spoke with Mel at the foodbank distribution centre in Pool, and it sounds like donations are way down. Particularly for the more substantial items. This is inevitable as belts are tightened, what with the cost of energy, and everything else that we need to live. The people at the bottom (in socio-economic terms) are falling through the cracks.
The wonderful members of this CSA are helping just by being a member of this veg box scheme and not a corporate scheme. On top of this, some of them pay more each month, so that extra food is given to food banks, and many choose to donate if they have a week away. It’s incredibly heart warming to be a part of this! They’re an amazing bunch, and I feel lucky to be the guy that gets to take their donated veg to where it’s needed.
So, we’re 21 weeks into the first growing season of this CIC, and I did some sums on a spreadsheet that I use to store data recently, how much food has been donated to foodbanks and similar projects since we started. Well, I was so chuffed that I had to share it here.
Firstly, I pledged to donate at least 10% of the value of the veg boxes, in food. Basic figures equal somewhere in the teens per week. There was a lot of food donated before our first boxes went out at the end of May to Food Troops, an excellent CIC supporting families in Redruth. We also took some to Trussel Trust, and more recently, we’ve been taking veg to the CPR Foodbank that supports struggling people across Camborne, Pool and Redruth.
So, the sums – so far, we’ve taken over £600 worth of fresh, organically grown veg to people in need! This will increase before the season is up. This is an amount I am so pleased with, and I want to thank all the members for making this possible. The ones who have donated more, deserve even more gratitude, and your generosity is directly helping struggling people to eat good food. Organic, local food will no doubt be too expensive for those of us who have fallen on hard times, so I’m incredibly honoured to be a part of this scheme, to nourish those in need. It nourishes my soul.
I want to open up volunteer opportunities for next season, for those who would like to help, take some veg for themselves, and have their work help support the foodbanks. Just get in touch if you’re interested, and I can teach you how we grow, which is a wonderful way to connect with the Earth and those around us.
So there we have it! I wonder how much we can donate next year?