They also have a People’s Grocery Store where people can choose from a wide range of supermarket items at discounted prices. The Learn with People campaign also offers cooking classes with low-cost ingredients and appliances.

But the charity’s efforts culminate in their No One Hungry at Christmas campaign, where they work tirelessly to provide Christmas hampers containing a full Christmas meal, as well as gifts and treats for adults and children.

MEN’s campaign last year £13,844 was raised to support the appeal, thanks to the generosity of our readers and fellow journalist Michael Josephson, who pledged to match the donations raised. The huge sum raised meant 840 families in the area could enjoy home-cooked meals and gifts on Christmas Day.

We want to do the same again this year, People hope it will be the “most impactful year ever”. But after a difficult twelve months, the charity’s co-founder Lewey Hellewell says he fears the need will grow even further.

“This year has been a terrible year financially,” he said. MEN “We thought we might have to close completely in September; but fortunately, thanks to emergency funds, we managed to close this gap.

“Things are looking a little more stable at the moment. But what happens at Christmas will be the deciding factor for our future.”

With inflation continuing to worsen and the cost of living crisis showing no signs of abating, Lewey predicts demand will increase ‘a lot’ this year, especially since the announcement that winter fuel payments for pensioners will be limited to universal payments only. credit.

He added that donations to the charity have “hit the ground running” since COVID. “There are people whose mortgages have increased by hundreds and who are donating,” he said.

“If people could cast a spell on wanting to donate, then we’d be crushed because people would want to give. But the economic landscape means people can’t.”

Despite a somewhat financially challenging year, Humans continues to be a foodbank with a difference, delivering its parcels to customers in unmarked vans to ensure privacy and avoid the stigma of using a foodbank.

“I can’t stand the thought of people lining up in front of food banks on busy roads, being judged by people as they pass by,” Lewey said.

“The delivery element is how we protect people’s dignity so they don’t have to queue in the rain or carry 25 kilos of canned food home while trying to pull three kids across the main road.”

Lewey speaks evocatively of his experience using a food bank; because it has plenty of food banks. He relied on them for several months after being laid off from his hospitality job in 2018, which left him “within minutes of running out of money”.

Walking for miles in the rain (she had no money for bus fare), Lewey said she felt further demoralized by having to tell her story over and over again to different food banks and not being able to choose between the foods inside. his parcel.

“I can’t cook rice,” he laughs. “So I would want pasta, but I would get rice. And every forkful of that poorly cooked rice reminded me that I was on my knees.”

So, People’s pantries are filled with a variety of world foods and can accommodate a variety of diets, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal. “I want people to eat foods that are familiar to them, foods that are comforting to them,” Lewey said. “Because otherwise this delivery would have no dignity.”

But People’s packages don’t just include food. “As we pack orders, we often have a conversation where we think about what else we can do for this family.” said Lewey.

“Let’s say they have a one-year-old child; Do we have wipes, diapers, baby food? Things they don’t expect, but things that ease the customer’s burden.”

As well as our fundraising campaign this Christmas, the charity is also asking for gift donations to go to parents and children. We know this is a difficult time when many of us are strapped for cash; But even a few pounds, like a simple share of our campaign on social media, will go a long way.

For those who are not in a position to donate, you have the option to donate your time; The charity is also looking for volunteers to help pack orders, wrap gifts and deliver hampers.

“Someone asked me if that was a lot of money to spend in one day for a year,” Lewey said.

“It’s a very expensive project to run. But on December 25, the whole country stands still. And if you feel like you’re not part of that national celebration, I think the damage that will do is huge.”

“We put Christmas crackers in our baskets and Terry’s Chocolate Orange in every package. To me, those are the things that make Christmas truly special, and it wouldn’t be Christmas without them.”

You can donate through our GoFundMe link here.