When we saw an appeal posted by Colchester Foodbank on Facebook, desperately asking for dollies to carry crates of donated food, the Evo Supplies team wasted no time in wheeling into action!
Having chosen the Trussell Trust as our Christmas Charity 2020, and also donated to Marcus Rashford’s initiative to feed children during the school holidays, we were keenly aware of the huge number of families currently in food poverty and the vital work of food banks in supporting them.
We swiftly packed up all the dollies in the ‘factory seconds’ corner of our warehouse and delivered them to the new Colchester Foodbank HQ.
Karen and Robert of Colchester Foodbank with their donated dollies
Next, we rounded up all our display dollies left over from trade shows, various prototypes, discontinued lines and damaged returns. Some lovely volunteers made two trips to pick them up for distribution to new satellite food bank hubs in the wider Colchester area.
Colchester Foodbank volunteers collecting dollies donated by Evo Supplies
Armin and Oli of Colchester Foodbank using Evo Supplies dollies
Claire and Jena of Colchester Foodbank. Maria of Evo Supplies
Having recently taken delivery of a large container of Hello Dollies products, we’re currently putting together our next consignment for Colchester Foodbank. Any dollies that don’t quite make the grade in appearance – chipped boards, odd marks or stains, scuffed rubber, etc – will soon be hard at work helping the Colchester Foodbank team in their work.
Work for which, distressingly, there is an ever increasing demand.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, volunteers at Colchester Foodbank have seen a 47% increase in the number of people they help. In 2020, they fed 13,966 people with three-day emergency food supplies.
The vision of the Trussell Trust is for a UK without the need for food banks. It will take more than food to end hunger, and that’s why the Trust recently launched a five-year strategic plan. Their goal to end the need for food banks is ambitious, but with hard work and community help, they believe it’s achievable.
Whether donating food, volunteering your time or taking on a fundraising challenge, there are loads of ways to get involved with raising awareness of poverty and helping end UK hunger. Why not find your local Trussell Trust-supported Food Bank here and get involved?
