Request from Hope Church Chesterton

Dear Science Park Community

Thank for you for your consideration in supporting Hope Church Chesterton’s emergency food response for vulnerable people in East Chesterton and Kings Hedges.

The need in East Chesterton

Many residents in East Chesterton are already struggling with food poverty. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic both the Chesterton Methodist food bank and the Brown's Field community fridge were unable to stay open. This was a huge blow for the community and for those struggling to put food on the table in the area. The result was that one of the most deprived wards of Cambridge was left with no local emergency food provision or support, and the need grows daily. It was felt that there was an urgent need for some kind of emergency response project to be set up to meet the food needs of local people.

The response: Hope Food Hub

Working with a food distribution partner, the 2nd of April saw the creation of a new, free and open-access food hub to serve the most vulnerable and isolated in East Chesterton. Based out of St George's Hall, CB4 1LN, the new 'Hope Food Hub' went live on the 4th April and so far over 100 families have accessed it. Three-day emergency food parcels are also made up for delivery. An encouraging start but just the beginning. 

The Hope Food Hub involves:

1) A twice a week 'community' fridge model, free at the point of need and open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2-4pm at St George’s Hall.

2) The delivery of emergency food relief to the homes of self-isolating older people, those in high risk categories and families. These three-day nutritiously balanced emergency food parcels are delivered to local people who are experiencing food poverty. We are working with volunteers from our local area through the East Chesterton Mutual Aid group.

At all times social distancing is carefully observed.

The impact

We expect over 200 local residents to benefit directly from this project. Our focus is families with young children, and older and/or vulnerable people. We are working to serve local primary school families and their ‘at risk’ families. We are also working with a number of the families connected to Romsey Mill who live in our area. We also plan to support those in food poverty who are self-isolating and shielded at this time. 

How you can help

We urgently need more food and money to help more Chesterton residents. We want to be able to continue to offer and deliver much needed emergency food relief over the next few months to the most vulnerable families and children.

Food donations:

These can be dropped off at St George’s Hall between 2-4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or between 9.30-11am on Saturdays.

Financial donations:

Gifts can be made to St George’s PCC

Account number: 65290509

Sort code: 08-92-99

Please use reference: Hope Food Hub so that it can be easily allocated.

If you have any questions, please email me on hopefoodhub@gmail.com

Many thanks for your attention and kind consideration.

Warmly in Christ,

Andy

Revd Andy Atkins, Minister, Hope Church Chesterton
hopefoodhub@gmail.com