Pay It Forward 2020 Update
In October, we offered veg boxes free of charge during half term to any families who rely on free school meals. Following the incredible response to our post on social media, we wanted to update you on everything CVB have done 'behind the scenes' since then.
It was eye opening to see the number of people struggling at the moment. Poverty can often be thought of as a ‘far away’ problem and not something that affects ‘The Cotswolds’, typically seen as an affluent area. We have learnt over the last month that this is not the case. With the amount of support we received from others wanting to help, including donations from Dave Moore Family Butchers and Cotswold Eggs, we knew we could find a way to support our local community long term.
So, we launched the 'Pay It Forward' box. A £10 zero-profit box full of enough staples to feed a whole family. As of yesterday, the Cotswold Veg Box community has raised nearly £1000 which is a fantastic milestone, achieved in just over a month!
We've delivered over 40 boxes directly to families, provided Chipping Campden and Shipston Food Banks with bulk amounts of fruit and veg and we're donating funds to local charity, North Cotswold Community Awareness so they can continue to do all their incredible work too! (More on that to come in the new year!) The wonderful thing about North Cotswold Food Bank is that you don’t require a referral - if you are hungry, they will look after you.
This Christmas, we plan to deliver boxes of ‘Christmas Dinner essentials’ to those who usually utilise food banks in the days leading up to the 25th. We’ve roped in a wonderful group of volunteers to ensure these can all be packed and delivered in time and this has only been possible through all of your donations.
Going forwards, we want to make sure the money you donate reaches those who are in desperate situations. We will still provide those who really need a veg box with one if they drop us an email, but primarily we will be working with food banks and local charities. If you work with a local food bank/charity that would be happy to accept either fresh produce or require regular financial donations, please do drop us an email at hello@cotswoldvegbox.com.
Lastly, a thank you. If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we have to look after each other and we’re so grateful to those of you who have been kind enough to Pay It Forward. We’ve had such positive feedback from those who have received the Pay It Forward boxes and food bank packages. Your donations really are making a difference to those who need them and we’re so thankful to have such a lovely bunch of humans as our customers.
