July 2018 Newsletter
The new year got off to a brilliant start with the donations from Christmas, but as time marches on, we are now at the usual lower point of the year with donation volume. We have supermarket drives coming up in July and later on in the year. We also have Harvest Festival to look forward to which is always a welcome boost to our supply and a much needed support.
We’ve been going through some changes here at the Foodbank. Notably with the wonderful Jackie Dickinson. Having kept the Foodbank a well-oiled machine for over 5 years, Jackie now takes up the role of Warehouse Manager to continue her work in serving the community and helping reach out with provision to those who need it.
Welcome to our new Trustee
The board of Trustees has been joined by Maggie Walker, bringing a host of experience with her. Maggie was born in Newcastle and spent her formative years in Whickham, attending Whickham Comprehensive School, before training as a Home Economics teacher at the University of Northumbria. She then moved to Whitley Bay and taught in schools in both North and South Tyneside and also within the Further Education sector.
After 22 years in teaching, she left her role as a Deputy Headteacher in Lincolnshire, to take on a new challenge as Chief Executive of ASDAN, an international education charity based in Bristol. ASDAN is a charitable social enterprise and Awarding Body, providing courses to thousands of UK and international schools, colleges, youth centres and training providers.
On retiring from ASDAN in 2017, Maggie relocated back to her native North East, and is pursuing new and exciting challenges, as well as finding time to travel and support her beloved Newcastle United. She is excited and proud to have the opportunity to use the knowledge and experience she gained in her career to support the existing work and future vision of the Bay Foodbank.
Asda and Sainsbury’s donation drive
It’s that time again, after a successful set of donation drives at Asda Benton, we’re at it again! Thanks to Asda, we raised £34.23 and collected 1,976 items! We were at Sainsbury’s Monkseaton on Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July 10:00am – 4:00pm, so let’s see if we can match it!
Company and school volunteer days
Companies and schools love sending their staff and pupils to The Bay Foodbank for educational and team building purposes. We have been a host to local schools and larger companies such as P&G. We will be hosting more this season, a welcome set of hands to help pack and sort!
Milestone: 19,000!
13th June 2018, the day we delivered our 19,000th box of food. It’s sad that this number keeps growing but encouraging that we can still muster to meet the need!
Family donations!
It’s been a busy week again this week lots of lovely donations and meeting new friends and volunteers. Thank you to the lovely Robson family for their donations it’s great that kids get involved and donate and they’re so happy to do it. Thank you!
Thank you to Shola & Temi Alabi they donated food to the Foodbank instead of buying gifts for their teachers. Thank you again just in time for our busy period. Thank you Mammy & Daddy for bringing them in to the Foodbank.