Thank you from BVA!!!!!!!!!!!!

What an AWESOME email I received today (see below).

Thank you again to everyone who donated to this fabulous appeal. I’m certain that your support was one the reasons it was such a success this year!

Yay for us!

BVA Christmas Food Box Appeal 2014

Dear Louise and the NorthHantsMum community,

On behalf of everyone at Basingstoke Voluntary Action, we would like to thank you for supporting this years’ ‘Food Boxes for Basingstoke’ appeal so wholeheartedly.

Your hard work, team spirit and kindness generated a huge amount – not only food boxes, but clothes, new toys and books, and even gifts for pets, in addition to financial contributions which have enabled us to provide tents, sleeping bags, waterproofs and vital items to our homeless community.

This year the response was enormous, and thanks to people and organisations like yourselves we were able to distribute in excess of 300 boxes, including around 70 larger boxes for families, via the following agencies and charities:

  • May Place
  • Jacobs House
  • The Camrose Centre
  • YMCA
  • Neighbourcare
  • MaD (teenage parents)
  • Young Carers
  • Citizens Advice
  • YouTrust
  • Homestart
  • Mary Rose Court
  • HCC Learning Disabilities team
  • HCC Children’s Services Team

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The impact of this cannot be under-estimated, not only from a practical point of view, but for someone who is socially isolated or vulnerably housed, simply knowing that people care can make a massive difference at a time of year which can be a huge struggle especially if you are alone or without money.

The feedback from all involved has been incredibly positive and this campaign really has helped to make Christmas for hundreds of individuals and families around Basingstoke and Deane. We hope you feel your donation was worthwhile, the BVA staff and volunteers who supported this campaign certainly do.

Here at Basingstoke Voluntary Action we strive year round to support and enrich our local community. If there is anything we can help your business or organisation with, from providing volunteer opportunities or advice on fundraising, to developing business/charity partnerships please do not hesitate to let us know.

Once again, from the team at BVA and everyone whose Christmas has been touched by your kindness, thank you all and a Happy New Year,

Best wishes

Rebecca Kennelly

CEO BVA

On behalf of the BVA team

Admin@BVAction.org.uk

https://localgiving.com/charity/bva

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BVA provides guidance, information, support and resources for voluntary and community groups providing a service in Basingstoke and Deane. 

Basingstoke Voluntary Action Registered Charity Number 1077442 and Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales Registration Number 3802713. 

Fully serviced office accommodation at extremely competitive rates available for immediate occupation! Call the Orchard Facilities Manager now on 01256 423801 or the Orchard Team 01256 423800

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Christmas Food Boxes for Basingstoke 2014

Christmas Food Boxes for Basingstoke 2014

I am SOOOOOO excited about this morning’s post.

I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while but had no idea where to start so I was DELIGHTED when Natascha, from Basingstoke Voluntary Action, contacted me asking if I could publicise their Food Box collection.

The drop off point is in town, opposite the Police Station and behind the White Hart Pub, so it’s fairly easy to get too.

When you make your delivery, please mention that you are a NHM Reader.

Natascha is happy to keep a record of all of the collections from the NHM Community.

Wouldn’t it be AWESOME if the NHM Community, a group of AMAZING Mum’s and Dad’s (and you are!!!), could provide such great practical support for those who are struggling this Christmas, directly in our community????!?!?!

THIS is why I write NHM. To help others!!!

For those of you coming to the NHM Christmas Expo on Friday, why not bring a few tins, or any other items on the lists below, along? I’m happy to take collection and will drop them off on Friday after the event.    

Now, does anyone have any suggestions of where to get photocopying paper boxes in bulk from? 😉                                                          

Christmas Food Boxes for Basingstoke 2014

Last year Basingstoke Voluntary Action appealed to individuals and organisations to join us in providing Christmas Food Boxes to those less fortunate than ourselves, and who would benefit enormously from a little extra at Christmas time. The response was huge, and through your generosity we were able to supply refuges, families and homeless centres in Basingstoke and Deane with Food Boxes filled with Christmas goodies.

We want to do a similar appeal this Christmas, and ask you to consider if your group or organisation could donate any food, food boxes (a box between your group would be amazing!), or additional items to help a homeless person. Last year we were able to distribute 150 boxes and 46 rough sleeper packs to people for whom this time of year really is a struggle – this is a fantastic way of making a huge difference to the wider community!

Why not make it a team challenge? – Last year local companies competed internally to fill the most boxes and a local school was motivated by friendly competition between year groups.

If any of you are interested in joining in, here’s what we recommend:

Option 1 – Christmas Food Box for refuges, hostels and underprivileged families

  1. Take a photocopying paper box and lid:
  2. Picture 1Wrap box and lid separately in Christmas wrapping paper:
  3. Picture 4Fill it up with food for Christmas, selecting from the following suggested items:
  • Tins of salmon, ham or chicken breast
  • Tins of new potatoes, carrots, garden peas
  • Tin or pouch of long life quality casserole meal
  • Christmas pudding, custard, mince pies, Christmas cake
  • Luxury biscuits, chocolates/selection box
  • Jar of coffee
  • Snacks such as crackers, twiglets, savoury twists, nibbles
  • For family boxes a small toy, family game or book

Picture 3

  1. Box all food up
  2. Please list the contents of your box and pop it in so we can ensure everyone receives the right items.
  3. Call us to arrange a collection or delivery to The Orchard
  4. We will donate them to the worthy causes and centres in the Basingstoke and Deane area
  5. Total anticipated costs £25 – £30 per box. 

Option 2 – Donations of food to be distributed to homeless centres and hostels, can be from the list above or any of these:

  • Packs of pasta/rice
  • Pouches of pasta sauces
  • Tea and coffee
  • Long life milk
  • Biscuits
  • Sugar
  • Cereals
  • Cup soups, noodles

Picture 2

Option 3 – For someone who will be homeless this Christmas without fridge or cooker facilities

Many food outlets in the town centre provide hot water for rough sleepers, so we would like to ask you to consider:

  • Food items such as:
    • cup soups/noodles
    • tea bags
    • coffee (any food bags you can add hot water to)
    • ring-pull tins of hot dogs
    • ravioli
    • stews
    • rice puddings
    • high energy protein/cereal bars
    • chocolate biscuits/sweets/small selection boxes
    • multipack crisp/snacks
  • Equipment such as:
    • warm hats
    • scarves
    • gloves
    • socks
    • jumpers
    • coats
    • unwanted rucksacks or draw string bags
    • wind-up torches
    • sleeping bags
    • thermos flasks/cups
    • sturdy boots/shoes
    • toiletries

Finally, many companies in previous years have donated money to help with winter food box appeals.

If you would like to do this please contact Admin@BVAction.org.uk or make cheques payable to Basingstoke Voluntary Action and clearly write on the back Christmas Appeal

Please note we cannot accept any donations of alcohol or food containing alcohol

Dates for Donations

We will gratefully accept donations from Monday 3rd November.

Please deliver any food or items by Friday 5th December to Basingstoke Voluntary Action, The Orchard, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke RG21 4AF, or call us to arrange a collection.

All queries, please contact Natascha Shepherd on 01256 423816 or email Admin@BVAction.org.uk

Many thanks from all of us at BVA!!

If you would like a copy of a pdf to pass around at work or friends, please visit our website: https://www.bvaction.org.uk/