Businesses and other organisations are being urged to raise money to help a Suffolk-based charity which each year provides thousands of food parcels to people in crisis.
Families in Need (FIND) requires a new home for its food bank but, having found a building suitable for conversion and obtained planning permission, it needs to raise £100,000 to pay for the project.
It has now launched a campaign, the FIND 50 Lifeline Appeal, which aims to secure the support of 50 workplaces, schools, clubs or other groups which will each pledge to raise £2,000 towards the project.
The appeal, first announced last month, was officially launched yesterday at a reception hosted by the Mayor of Ipswich, Sarah Barber – who selected FIND as one of three chosen charities for her year in office – and attended by representatives from more than a dozen organisations which have already pledged support, in cash or in kind.
A number of businesses have agreed to work on the project on a fee-free or not-for-profit basis, including Barnes Construction, quantity surveyors Castons, Hoopers Architects and Barker Gotelee solicitors, and the appeal is being run, also free of charge, by Ipswich PR agency Genesis.
Organisations which have already committed to be FIND 50 fundraisers include the East of England Co-op, Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich East Rotary Club, Genesis PR, Ipswich Round Table, Ipswich School, Kingsfleet Wealth and PLC Business.
FIND is based in Ipswich but operates across a wide radius, also including towns such as Sudbury and Leiston. It was founded in 1990 by Maureen Reynel – who still runs the project, with the support of more than 100 volunteers – and assists individuals as well as families.
It is Christian-based but provides emergency aid regardless of creed, based on referrals from a wide range of agencies. In addition to food it also provides personal care products and household items, according to need.
Maureen said: “FIND already has strong support from the community but we need more help than ever to raise £100,000 for our new foodbank. With the help of Ipswich Borough Council we have identified a suitable site but it needs a lot of building work and refurbishment so this really is a lifeline appeal.”
Organisations which would like to take part in FIND 50 should email FIND50@genesispr.co.uk.
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