JEDBURGH based company Starrett Europe has decided that this year, instead of sending Christmas cards, it will give back to the community and donate £1,000 to local Jedburgh Churches Foodbank.
An independent charity run by a group of volunteers, the Jedburgh Foodbank depends solely on the generosity of donors and supporters to provide or buy food for those in need.
Every penny of the money donated will go on to help ease food poverty in the local area.
Operating out of the Jedburgh Old and Trinity, with support from St John’s Episcopal Church and St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and Ancrum, along with the Ale and Teviot Churches, 12 volunteers run the charity, delivering parcels across the Jedburgh, Ancrum, St Boswell and Newton St Boswells area.
Rod Fay, Treasurer of Jedburgh Churches Foodbank, commented: “This generous donation from Starrett will enable us to buy in stock in the run up to Christmas. Our clients will be very grateful for the help that this donation will provide. It is especially hard to find yourself without the money to have any kind of festive celebration, to be alone and hungry or to see your children without any kind of Christmas treat. We are currently providing about 50 parcels a month, each of which supports two to three people on average.”
Nicky Richardson, financial director of Starrett UK, added: “At Starrett UK, we believe in the spirit of community. By donating these funds, it is our hope that local families and vulnerable people across the area will have a more enjoyable Christmas.”
Robert McKechnie, commercial director of Starrett UK, said: “In light of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, I feel businesses need to play their part in helping the environment in both big and small ways. Instead of sending Christmas cards to our customers, we have decided to go digital and are pleased to direct the money we’ve saved towards a much better cause.”
If you require support, you can seek help by contacting your social worker, Citizens Advice Bureau, support worker, Scottish Borders Council hubs, School teacher, Church leader or similar.
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