South Tyneside’s Key to Life Foodbank launches its Christmas 2023 appeal

The Key to Life Foodbank, located inside the Boldon Lane Library, has launched its Christmas appeal to help make the festive season more special for struggling families and individuals.

The foodbank is a partnership between Key, a youth homeless charity, and Churches Together South Tyneside which holds an annual appeal.

Key to Life Foodbank is asking for donations of Christmas fare and festive treats, to complement its emergency food parcels and brighten Christmas for those living in poverty.

The foodbank is also looking for donations of new and unwrapped toys and gifts, and vouchers for older children in an effort to transform Christmas for families who are unable to afford presents.

Donations of new, or good quality pre-loved, children’s onesies and dressing gowns are also welcomed by the charity.

Jo Benham Brown, Business Development and Communities Manager at Key, is expecting the foodbank to be busier than ever this Christmas period.

She said: “With many households now in desperate hardship, suffering from the biggest cuts in living standards in forty years, amid escalating food and fuel bills, alongside rising taxes and interest rates, we’re anticipating more people than ever to turn to our foodbank this Christmas.

“Unfortunately even we aren’t immune to this crisis, with rising costs of our own at Key to Life and the worsening situation leading to a drop in donations meaning diminishing stocks at a time of unprecedented demand when many more people are needing to use a foodbank for the very first time.

“We know times are tough for everyone but please spare a thought, and whatever you can, for someone in need close to home this year.”

If you’re unable to deliver items to the foodbank in person, you can access Key to Life’s Amazon wishlist by clicking here - all items bought on the wishlist will be delivered directly to the charity.

Members of the public can also support financially this Christmas in a number of ways.

These include:

• Online: keycommunity.org.uk/donate
• By cheque: Please make payable to ‘Key Community’ and post to: Key Community, 116 Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BA. 

• By bank transfer: Please transfer to ‘Key Community’ at Unity Trust Bank, Sort code: 60-83-01, Account no: 20071815. 

• By text: Text BAUBLE followed by any whole pound amount between £1 and £20 to 70560 to give that amount (e.g. text ‘BAUBLE5’ to give £5). Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message).

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If you’re a family with children aged 16 and under who would like to benefit from Key to Life this Christmas period, you can complete na online application form by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted by Friday, December 8, with gifts set to be allocated from Monday, December 11, and must be collected from the Key to Life Foodbank.

Christmas food and toy donations can be dropped off from Monday, October 23, until Friday, December 8, with spare gift bags and wrapping paper also welcomed by staff.

Key to Life is open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday, with donations recommended to be dropped off between 12pm and 3pm to avoid peak times.