PEOPLE in York are being urged to give one last push to help provide breakfasts to the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The York Harvest appeal has been running throughout September to help Carecent replenish its supplies for the next year.

Donations have flooded in to drop-off points at The Press office in Walmgate and City of York Council’s premises in Station Rise and Hazel Court, and we are encouraging anyone who still intends to donate to do so today or on Monday, before we hand over the collected donations.

The appeal was launched by Carecent, The Press and the city council to help ensure the charity has enough food to last throughout 2013/14, and as part of the council’s and this newspaper’s ongoing anti-poverty work.

Gavin Aitchison, news editor of The Press, said: “The response from the public has been fantastic and will really help Carecent over the coming year. The charity gives vital support to people who very much need it and the generosity from our readers and York residents has been very heartening.”

Carecent relies heavily on harvest festival donations from churches and schools but has struggled to cope with increased demand in recent years, during the economic crisis. York Harvest was launched to make it easier for those who do not already donate via a church or school to help.


HOW TO HELP

Carecent provides breakfasts and simple toiletries and needs to be able to stock up for the year ahead, so has very specific needs.

The charity requests:

• Tinned meat which can be served cold – ham, spam, corned beef, hot-dog sausages
• Baked beans and tinned spaghetti
• Long-life fruit juice
• Cereals – but please not porridge oats, Ready Brek or instant porridge
• Tinned fruit
• Socks, hats and gloves
• Roll-on deodorant (no aerosols please)
• Shower gel and shampoo
• Sugar
• Jeans (especially in smaller waist sizes) and other clothes (especially fleeces/ jumpers/ t-shirts).

The charity currently has enough oats, instant oats and Ready Brek; tea; salt; jam, marmalade, honey and Marmite; and combination tins such as baked beans with sausages.

It also has enough toothpaste and soap.

You can donate goods at:

• Central Methodist Church on a Monday or Tuesday evening from 6pm and 8pm, from September 23 to October 15.

• The Press office at 76-86 Walmgate from 9am to 4.45pm on weekdays.

• City of York Council’s HQ in Station Rise from 8.30am to 5pm or the Community Equipment Loan Service at Unit 3-4 Geralds Court, Phoenix Business Park, Hazel Court, James Street, from 8.30am to 4.30pm.