Easter saw the climax of the Salvation Army (Addlestone Corps) “tin a week” campaign in partnership with local school and neighbour, St George’s College.  Every Friday morning, throughout the spring term, come rain or shine with the exception of one snow week, Penny and Liam from the Addlestone Corps were in the College car park at morning drop off ready to fill their minibus with students’ tinned food donations.  The aim of the campaign was to help stock the Addlestone Salvation Army’s foodbank. The total number of items collected was a staggering 5091 items with an average of 640 items filling almost 20 large trays each week. 

Community Support Worker for the Addlestone Corps, Penny Potter was keen to emphasise the partnership element of the venture, being particularly relevant at Easter: “We are really so thankful for the continuing partnership and fellowship with St George’s… the massive contribution in the Spring term stocks us up until after Christmas and helps us through to the harvest collections.”

Whilst the main aim of the school collection was tinned food items, the Salvation Army collects items ranging from cereals, juices, toiletries and even nappies.  Donated products must be in their original packaging, unopened, with ingredients listed and be in date.  These items are supplemented by near date perishable items from local supermarkets, which require a quick distribution. Almost 40 bags of groceries are distributed weekly from the foodbank to local families and at any one time up to 40 families are being supported with donations. Some of those in need of assistance are homeless and in addition to food, the Addlestone Corps also collects tents, sleeping mats and bags and clothing and torches for distribution.

The success of the Easter appeal bodes well for the Christmas toy and food appeal, with last year’s Christmas appeal enabling distributions to 165 families with over 400 children, including Christmas Hampers to the elderly and those living alone.