The Mayor of Penzance, Councillor Jonathan How, has donated 50 Christmas Food Boxes to provide Christmas Day dinners for some of the poorest families in West Penwith.
For many, Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and rich food. But for those families living in food poverty, it can be a time of great difficulty and anxiety.
With many events being cancelled again this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the boxes will be funded by the Mayoral Allowance which is normally used to reimburse the Mayor when representing the town at civic and community events.
“There are huge inequalities in our society and – contrary to popular opinion – this is very rarely the fault of individuals” said Councillor Jonathan How, Mayor of Penzance.
“It horrifies me that Christmas is presented as a festival of consumerism because this can just make people who don’t have enough feel even worse.
“The yuletide season should be a time of community coming together and I hope that – by funding these boxes – I’m showing in some small way that the wider community cares about all of its members.
“Penzance Council is proud to support Growing Links, Whole Again Communities, CTIPA Food Bank as well as Food for Families. All these organisations need volunteers as well as donations all year round so I would really encourage people to get involved as their way of showing that we don’t want anybody in our community to be left behind.”
The food boxes have been donated to Food for Families Penzance, a local organisation working to reduce food poverty in Penzance and the surrounding areas of West Penwith.
The Community Interest Company (CIC), based in Treneere, has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to help local families in need.
Earlier this year they expanded their operations and now also have a base in Queen Street and successfully re-opened their Best Before Store where people can collect food that is still good to eat at a reduced price.
“Thank you so much to the Mayor of Penzance Jonathan How for donating to Food For Families” said Julia Tucker and Mo Williams.
“50 boxes donated will go to those who are in great need this Christmas. Thank you also to Thornes in Long Rock for acquiring all the fantastic food!”
Donation drop-off points for Food for Families include:
- Sainsbury’s Penzance
- The Middle Shop (5 Chyanclare, St Clare Street, TR18 2PG
- Cash Your Clutter (11 Market Place, TR18 2JB)
- The Co-Op (Queens Square, TR18 2JJ)
- Lloyds Bank
For further details, contact Food For Families – Tel: 07925 298587 | Email: foodforfamiliescic2018@gmail.com
