Delivering food to the elderly and vulnerable in Whitley

The expression ‘unprecedented times’ is being bandied around a lot and rightfully so. We prefer to think of this as the ‘unpleasantness’ and look forward to it passing. We are in the thick of a global crisis and at Whitley CDA we are doing what we can to help the elderly and vulnerable in our area.

Many of you probably already know that we have been running a food surplus project for some time now. In the last year or so we have seen this service get busier, however, nothing like this. Before the lockdown started we were helping anyone who visited our cafe and approximately twenty people and families who had been referred to us by one of our partners.

We are now supporting over 100 families and individuals on a weekly basis.

The vast majority have been referred to us by a partner such as; Welfare Rights, Communicare, Family Workers, Brighter Futures and other charities. We are also seeing an increase in self-referral, neighbour referral and family and friends referral. If you would like to self refer or know someone who needs support you can contact us by email at [email protected] via Facebook or you can call on: 07799 146615.

We are so grateful to our partners and associates who have been so generous. Without their donations none of this would have been possible, they will, for always, have our deepest gratitude. This includes; Starbucks, Smyths, Costa Coffee, Marks & Spencers, Aldi, The Salvation Army, Compass Group, Caterlink/JMA, Nandos, Toby Carvery Caversham, The Crown Pub in Playhatch, Warings Bakers Caversham, John Lewis, Bidfood, Crowne Plaza, Reading FC, Launchpad Reading, C.U.P., Cafe Yolk, Madejski Hotel and Niki Convenience Store. There are others, some have asked to remain nameless. Thank you.

We would appreciate your donations, if you can spare something please let us know, you can find out more here.

However, it’s not all been about food, Marks and Spencers donated a large number of flowers and we were able to spread a little joy along with our food deliveries. We also had support from the Thames Valley Police in delivering the flowers – prooving that we are a community. In fact, we are #TheBeatingHeartOfWhitley

What can you do?

• If you know someone who needs support please get in contact by email at [email protected] via Facebook or you can call on: 07799 146615.
• If you know of or can make a donation please get in contact
• If you would like to volunteer please get in contact
• Follow us on Facebook here
• And on Twitter here

The things people are saying

You’re all doing a wonderful job

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the food parcel you dropped to my sister in law they could not believe the generosity of it and has really helped them! Thank you again x

I am very grateful for your help

Thank u so much for my hamper and flowers. I’m so very grateful for everything, stay safe

Thank you once again for my daughter’s parcel

My mum asked me to thank u for her parcel today she was very happy and appreciates it all xx