Published Tuesday, 23 March 2021
Social supermarkets from across Coventry are teaming up in a plea for donations of food and supplies to help support families in need.
Nine venues across the city are hoping to receive donations from residents and will be holding a Covid-secure drop off on Easter Saturday – 3 April.
The network of social supermarkets, who are being supported by the Community resilience Team are looking for donations of dry food, toiletries, baby supplies and pet food.
The social supermarkets have been supporting local families with new venues joining – especially in the past 12 months. They operate a membership model, with families signing up to receive around £20 worth of food for just £4 per week.
There are already eight social supermarkets in the city with two more opening at the end of March. The existing organisations distributed an amazing 19,495 food bags between April 2020 and February 2021.
Henley Green Grub Hub manager, Dianne Williams, said: “We originally set up our Grub Hub two years ago, when it was the first in Coventry.
“Since then we have had someone new join every week. They don't all come every week, some come because of a crisis in their life.
“We are glad to see other Grub Hubs starting up all over the city. It just shows how tough the situation is for communities.”
Cheylesmore Food Hub Coordinator Andy Rodgers said they had seen a massive increase in demand since Christmas. He said: “Despite the perception that Cheylesmore and Earlsdon are wealthier areas of the city, our member list has grown by 50 per cent since the beginning of the year.
“We have been fortunate that the local community has generously supported us since we started, but we don’t expect to see numbers of families in need dropping any time soon so we really need donations to ensure we can stay open in the months to come.”
Mr Rodgers added: “In many ways this crisis has brought out the best in us, we’ve had donations from local businesses and individuals, but we know there is no room for complacency and for some people the hardship is only just beginning.”
The collections will be held at the following locations and times: PLEASE DONATE
Foleshill Community Centre CV6 5HS Friday 2nd April 12pm – 2pm
Aldermoor LIFE Centre CV3 1DA Saturday 3 April 10am – 2pm
Cannon Park Shopping Centre (nr Tesco) Saturday 3rd April 10am – 2pm
Cheylesmore Social Club Car Park Saturday 3rd April 10am – 2pm
Ancillary Building, 38-44 Binley Road CV3 1JA Saturday 3rd April 10am – 2pm
Coventry Central SDA Church, Radford, CV1 4BP Sat 3 April 10am – 2pm
Moat House Community Trust, 1 Winston Ave CV2 1EA Saturday 3 April 10am – 2pm
St Laurence’s Church CV6 7ED Saturday 3 April 10am – 2pm
Tile Hill SDA, 240 Jardine Cres CV4 9PL Saturday 3 April 10am – 2pm
