Here For Humanity, a food hub and community support group based in Eldon Street, Preston is no stranger to residents seeking a helping hand.  

Recently, however, demand has been unprecedented with Ruby Abram, one of Here For Humanity’s directors, receiving seven emergency referrals in just one day. 

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Five of the referrals were from an established charity supporting young mums who had run out of food and nappies for their children and who had been unable to get help elsewhere.

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The other two were direct appeals from parents on Universal Credit desperate for food for their families.  

Fortunately, Ruby was able to provide each family with a bag of fruit and veg, long-life milk and tinned/dried foodstuff within 24 hours of the requests being made. 

With the number of referrals increasing, Here For Humanity is appealing for help from the local community.  The organisation is entirely reliant on grants and contributions from the general public to enable their volunteers to carry out their vital work.

They purchase a significant proportion of their food from Fareshare Lancashire & Cumbria – saving it from landfill – and whilst this food is invaluable, Here For Humanity doesn’t know in advance what they will receive so often need to top up supplies to ensure families receive nutritious and varied food items.  

Requests for emergency supplies will often see Ruby dashing to her local Cash & Carry to buy in extra foodstuffs. 

Ruby said: “We would love to see schools, organisations and the general public collecting staple items for Here For Humanity.

“It would really help us build up a stock of supplies if schools and businesses could hold a BRING IN A TIN DAY, for example,  and we have produced a list of popular items to help with decision making.” 

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Here For Humanity already receives wonderful help from a number of local supermarkets and shops including Sainsbury’s and Morrisons Deepdale,  and hopes to get more onboard in the coming weeks. 

Any Community Champions reading this appeal who can offer support can email help@hereforhumanity.org.uk or message their Facebook Page as can members of the public who would like to donate items.

Anyone wishing to volunteer at the food hub or to deliver food in the Preston area on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoons would be most welcome and can contact HFH by emailing help@hereforhumanity.org.uk 

Information on food banks in your area can be seen below

Ruby added: “Some of the messages we receive from people needing help are heartbreaking and people are often so grateful they are in tears on the doorstep when we drop supplies off for them.

“Here is a fairly typical message sent to our inbox: “We don’t have a penny till Friday and currently have just milk and a bit of bread left in the cupboards and cereal to last us. I really don’t want to resort to asking for help on any Facebook pages – I’m so embarrassed.  I’ve never had to do this before.”

“It is messages and reactions like these that make us determined to continue to offer help to those who find themselves in need and we urge the local community to support our efforts.”

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

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