Businesses praised for donating food to Sunderland needy teenagers

Businesses have been praised for supporting a charity’s work to help teenagers preparing to live independently for the first time.
Hopespring volunteers collecting for the Sunderland charity before the onset of social distancing guidelines.Hopespring volunteers collecting for the Sunderland charity before the onset of social distancing guidelines.
Hopespring volunteers collecting for the Sunderland charity before the onset of social distancing guidelines.

Hopespring, based in Seaview Road West, Sunderland, regularly collects donations of foods and toiletries from shoppers before delivering them to young people leaving care.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic the charity has instead asked local businesses for support while also continuing to buy supplies via fundraising contributions.

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It has now donated around 80kg of food to Together for Children, which delivers children’s services for Sunderland City Council, so that it can be passed on to young people aged 16 and above who are starting to live independently for the first time after leaving school or care.

Among Together for Children’s services is semi-independent accommodation with on-site support staff.

Lois Gott, founder and chief executive officer of Hopespring, said: “Now more than ever is a troubling time for young people leaving care who don’t have the financial support often provided by family.

“Our hampers include essentials such as pasta, tinned goods, toiletries and household cleaning items. Each hamper should last around two weeks.

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“We are thankful for all the kind donations that have enabled us to deliver around 80kg of food to the accommodation provided by Together for Children.”

Jill Colbert, chief executive of Together for Children, praised Hopespring and the businesses for their support and described the hampers as a “life line”.

She added: “Hopespring is a charity that our staff have supported with donations and our young people and staff teams are hugely grateful for their continued support.

“Young people in particular are facing increased hardship as the global economy is impacted by this pandemic and many with jobs in retail, hospitality and other sectors have seen a loss in income.

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“We know that this is a very anxious time for our young people, so to receive a food hamper brings a real life line in these uncertain times.”

More information about Hopespring is available via www.hopespring.info and for Together for Children via www.togetherforchildren.org.uk

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