Festive Food Pantry Brings Hope to Families with c.900 Food Items Donated

The third annual Festive Food Pantry, hosted by Chartwell House in partnership with the Parish of St Laurence and Newington Primary School, has once again demonstrated the power of community spirit and generosity. This heartwarming initiative, held on Saturday, 14th December, was an incredible success, providing vital support to over 65 families on the day, showcasing the tangible impact of this much-loved community initiative and spreading much-needed cheer during the festive season.

This year’s overwhelming community support allowed the Festive Food Pantry to extend its impact beyond the event itself. Thanks to the generous contributions of local residents, businesses, and organisations, Chartwell House was able to make a significant donation of food items to Newington Primary School. Supporting over 700 families, the school’s commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry was bolstered by this contribution. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the school will provide breakfast and a cooked lunch for 93 children over four days, as well as continue their regular provision of food parcels for families in need. Last year, every tin donated was used, and this year’s contributions are already making a tangible difference.

The incredible generosity of the community was evident in the volume of donations received. Over 900 food items were collected, showcasing the scale of success and the community’s remarkable generosity, ranging from tinned goods, pasta, and festive treats to crates of fresh produce like tomatoes and peppers. This overwhelming response highlights the collective goodwill and determination to support families in need.

The event also raised an additional £151.73 to support St Christopher’s Church in assisting local families throughout the year.

A Unified Effort

The success of the Festive Food Pantry was made possible by the incredible generosity of the local community and the support of businesses and organisations, including Boutique Care Homes, Dunelm Broadstairs, Unison Thanet, Waitrose, Thanet Earth, New Life Wills, Tesco’s Manston, Crossroads Care Kent, and the Parish of St Laurence. Families and team members from Chartwell House also played a crucial role, dedicating their time and resources to ensure the event’s success.

Judith Andrews, Anna Chaplain at St Laurence in Thanet, shared her heartfelt appreciation. “Whatever we do as the Church with Chartwell House is always a joy. Now after our third Festive Food Pantry, I can’t believe the generosity from so many people, supermarkets, and retailers in Thanet. But none of this would happen without the incredible team at Chartwell House – not only looking after their residents like family, but the welcome they give to the Church and the support to the community and school of Newington is just amazing. It’s really difficult to put what it means into words – I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Dedication and Leadership

The success of this year’s event was led by the dedication of Jude Coveney, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House. Reflecting on the day, Jude said, “The Festive Food Pantry has become such an important part of what we do at Chartwell House. It’s incredible to see how the community has come together to support those in need. Knowing that our efforts will make a real difference to so many families, especially through the donation to Newington Primary School, is truly humbling. I’m so proud to be part of a team that cares so deeply for its community.”

Diane Collins, Home Manager at Chartwell House, echoed this sentiment, saying, “The generosity and support we’ve received for this year’s Festive Food Pantry have been nothing short of inspiring. This event is a true reflection of the values we hold at Chartwell House – compassion, community, and care. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and made this year’s pantry a success. Together, we’ve helped brighten Christmas for so many families, and that is something we can all be proud of.”

Looking Ahead

As the Festive Food Pantry continues to grow in its impact, Chartwell House remains committed to supporting its community and fostering partnerships that make a difference. This year’s success is a testament to the power of collective goodwill, and plans are already underway to build on this momentum for next year’s event.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, or supported this initiative in any way, Chartwell House extends their sincere thanks for making this year’s Festive Food Pantry a resounding success.