Castleford care home teams up with foodbank to provide vital support to local families

Kind-hearted staff at Castleford care home, Newfield Lodge, have selflessly donated stock from their own kitchens alongside generous donations from the local community to provide essential food, clothing and toiletry packages to local people and families who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

The care home team have partnered with The Hope Centre Food Bank, a local charity committed to caring for the community, to create essential goods packages which included lifelong milk, tea bags, packet and tinned goods, meat and vegetables, bread and pasta, along with some sweet treats such as biscuits, chocolate and gummy sweets.

Residents at the care home helped staff organise stock and pack bags ready to be delivered to the charity.

Resident, Jennie Southward, who has lived at the home since 2019, said: "I think it is excellent that our team wanted to be involved in helping out the community at such an unprecedented time. It is a true testament to their commitment to caring and nurturing for the people around them"

The care team also have been supporting local teachers and emergency services workers over the past few weeks, delivering Covid-safe continental breakfast bags to say thank you for all they do within the community.

Lifestyle Manager, Emily Waugh, said: "There are so many people throughout the nation that have been heavily impacted by this virus.

"When we heard the heart-breaking accounts of how some families and their children were not able to obtain the food they needed, it became apparent that we could really help.

"Everyone at the home has rallied round to gather as many donations as possible and it has been incredibly rewarding to know that we have helped families in the area."

General Manager, Lynn Robinson, said: "The team over at The Hope Centre Food Bank are truly incredible in the work that they do, delivering vital support to those that need it the most in our local community, and we just wanted to do our bit to help.

"We have also had some very touching feedback from other key workers who have been grateful to receive our breakfast bags which is great to hear! We are really grateful to everyone who has made it possible to spread kindness around a community who continuously supports us and our residents."