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Golding supports local Salvation Army
Families across Maidstone are receiving support from the Salvation Army food bank during the coronavirus outbreak and local landlord, Golding Homes, is pleased to be able to provide some much-needed funding to bolster the charities efforts.
Between March and April 2020, the Salvation Army distributed 809 food parcels in response to the increased poverty as a result of Covid-19.
The Salvation Army have been working with agencies and organisations across Maidstone as referrers to the service including Maidstone Day Centre and the Community Hub. The Maidstone Day Centre is currently closed to service users but are providing any donations of food to the Maidstone Borough Council outreach team who are delivering food to the vulnerable and isolated who have no one else to shop for them.
Marion Rouffet, Captain at the Maidstone Salvation Army said “At the Maidstone Salvation Army Food Bank, we are seeing on a weekly basis the very real consequences of Covid-19 on the lives of those in low paid or low-security jobs. Many of those who have received food parcels from us over the last two months have never visited a food bank before but were only just keeping their heads above water before losing their employment. Most are discovering the difficulty of having to manage on universal credit, after struggling through three to four weeks without any income.
“Our aim is not only to provide bags of food but for people to leave us feeling more positive than when they arrived. Many speak of feeling low, depressed, and are often in danger of serious self-harm. We have been able to offer choices of food where we can, support with toiletries, nappies and face masks, and a listening ear. We are deeply grateful to Golding Homes for helping us to provide this vital support through this most difficult of times.”
Director of Resources for Golding Homes, Neil Perrins who has previously volunteered for the Salvation Army with their Christmas appeal said: “Golding Homes is pleased to be able to support the food bank with this funding from our community chest fund to help them to distribute food to those in need during these challenging times.”