Calon Cymru Fostering Supports Local Foodbanks For Christmas 2024

Calon Cymru Fostering is proud to have donated to two local foodbanks this Christmas.

In West Wales, we have donated to Carmarthen Foodbank, and in South East Wales, we have made a donation to Reaching Out Foodbank in Cardiff. Our contributions will help support families in need during the Christmas and New Year period, ensuring they have access to essential meals.

The demand for food banks has been rising in recent years, in line with inflation and the cost of living crisis.

Current estimates indicate that approximately one in six children in Wales are living in households which have been forced to cut back on essentials.

Carmarthen Foodbank, located in the Johnstown area of Carmarthen, operates under the support of The Trussell Trust, which backs 147 foodbanks across Wales. Between April 1^st, 2023, and March 31^st, 2024, foodbanks within The Trussell Trust network in Wales distributed 187,458 food parcels, with 68,594 of those parcels going to children. Each standard foodbank parcel for one person costs £35, so donations like ours are essential for foodbanks to meet the needs of foodbank users.

Reaching Out Foodbank is based in the West of Cardiff and is run by volunteers from St Mary Of The Angels and Holy Family Roman Catholic Church. Reaching Out Foodbank was established in 2020, to support local families who were impacted by the covid pandemic. Since then, the service has grown, and the foodbank now provides food parcels to a significant number of people living in the West of Cardiff.

We take immense pride in supporting our chosen local food banks each Christmas.

According to studies from the Trussell Trust in February 2024, far too many people still lack access to essential items. The study found that 55% of people in Wales who were in receipt of Universal Credit reported running out of food in the past month and being unable to afford more. Therefore, supporting these two food banks is incredibly important to us.

If you are able to support those living in food poverty in your local area, please consider donating to your local foodbank. Some may prefer financial donations or food items, whereas others will be hugely grateful for your time spent volunteering. Your generosity can make a significant impact by helping combat food poverty and improving the lives of individuals in your community who are facing challenging circumstances.