Mark Frankland says…
Obviously the onset of the first lockdown presented us with enormous challenges. We had to keep up with a huge spike in demand which took us from issuing 500 food parcels per month all the way to 2500 in August. Things have calmed a little, but we are still handing out over 1800 parcels per month.
We have managed to create five new satellite operations across the region as well as establishing brilliant links with several local food companies. It has become all but impossible to source food from the supermarkets and as you know only too well, food donations from churches had completely dried up.
The support we have received from the local community has been quite extraordinary and the way we have been able to keep up with such a huge rise in demand goes to show just what can be achieved when a community comes together.
We will soon learn what demand is going to be in the new economic reality we are all about to step into. It is hard to see a return to our pre Covid 500 parcels per month any time soon.
Hopefully it will not be two long before business as usual can be re-established between First Base and your team of volunteers. Our back door is missing you all !
All my very best
Mark
If you would like to support First Base financially, either regularly or as a one off, you can do so direct (the Church Office [07754 596140 / pastadmin AT stjohnsdumfries DOT org] can provide you with bank details), or, if you are registered with us for Gift Aid, you can do so through St John’s. Again, the Church Office can explain how to do this.
