Former Goodyear workers donate £5,000 of food to Wolverhampton charities
Two charities providing a lifeline to families in need as well as homeless and vulnerable people have received an early Christmas present from former Goodyear workers.
The Good Shepherd and The Well, both based in Wolverhampton, are sharing a generous donation of £5,000 from the the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union benevolent fund.
It's the fifth year in a row that committee members have supported the Express & Star's Feed a Family This Christmas appeal.
Food and toiletries have been donated to the charities and will be used to help people get back on their feet.
The Good Shepherd is using its share for its new ‘Meal in a Bag’ initiative, which aims to provide a simple meal which individuals and families can cook for themselves.
The Well will use the donations to support its service over a five-week period when it expects to provide 120 food and toiletry parcels, helping 200 people each week with a third of these being children.
Cyril Barrett, chairman and trustee of the benevolent fund committee, attended the presentation of the food and toiletries with former-Goodyear colleague Michael Dutton.
Mr Barrett said: "The Express & Star's Feed a Family project is a vitally important cause. It highlights the plight of the most vulnerable in our community, who are facing difficulties this year because of Covid 19.
"We have seen the numbers of families, who are struggling to put food on the table and feed their families grow at alarming rates. It is heart-breaking to see it.
"The trustees have seen first-hand the wonderful work done by the Good Shepherd and The Well who are supporting our local community in the most difficult of times.
"Supporting this Feed a Family project for the last five years sums up what all the ex-members were about - decency and caring about their community.
"May the legacy of the ex-members of the charity fund live proudly on in our community.
"If this puts a smile on a child's or family's face, what more can we ask for? Thank you to both charities and the Express & Star."
Helen Holloway, admin and finance manager from the Good Shepherd, which handed out more than 7,000 hot meals between July and September, said: “We continue to be so grateful for the generosity of Cyril and everyone connected with the Goodyear Benevolent fund for the support they have given us over so many years.
“We have also received great support from the local community ahead of Christmas, which also has a hugely positive impact, but this grant ensures we can continue to have sufficient food supply to support those who are vulnerable as we head into 2021.
“We also work very closely with our friends at The Well, who provide their own food service, which is also extremely important and are delighted that this donation will also benefit their activities as well.
“One of the real strengths of Wolverhampton, which has been particularly visible during such a challenging year, is how different charities and agencies come together to support our community, and this generous grant from the former Goodyear workers is playing a huge part in that process.”
Caroline Price of The Well said: "This support comes at a crucial time for us, with the continuing rise in need across our city. We are very grateful to the Benevolent Fund for this amazing donation."
