The summer scheme ran for six weeks during the school holidays. In total 22 Church of England schools participated from across the diocese and a total of 131 families each received a weekly food hamper containing three days of food provisions for the whole family, delivered to them by a local church volunteer.
On Monday 14 December the central team mobilised again to coordinate the Christmas hamper scheme working with 21 schools and serving 163 families. Once again, the Norfolk Showground provided the team with a location to box up the food parcels ready for despatching. In addition to an ambient food box and activity bag each family received a fresh fruit and vegetable box direct from local Norfolk company, Norfolk in a Box, to supplement their Christmas supplies.
Providing for families in need is about more than just food; it was decided early-on in the project that that part of the gap to fill was the social and physical provision for these families. Because it was during the Christmas break, this meant Christmas-themed activity packs including stickers and colouring in! Each hamper also included a Christmas card for the families.
Paul Dunning, Director of Education said:
“It is inspiring to see so many volunteers coming together to support their local community and shine the light of love and hope into people’s lives at Christmas.”
This project is supported by Norfolk Community Foundation through COVID-19 Local Resilience Fund.