Kind-hearted Washington teenager saves up pocket money to spend on food bank donations

Zeva Emmerson, 13, worked hard doing chores around the house and saved up her pocket money so she could donate to Washington Community Food Project.

Zeva, a Washington Academy student, was desperate to start the new year off with a good deed, and wanted to help those who are in need of support.

She said: “I have been been doing chores around my house like washing the dishes when I get home from school, or hoovering the stairs for pocket money.

“Me, my Mum and my little sister have been doing a reverse advent calendar for three years.

“Its around about £30, because there are 30 days in the month and then we add some toiletries on top of it.”

Zeva got the idea to donate to the food bank after hearing about the cause during a service at St. Michael's Church.

And after donating once, decided she wanted to do it every year to support the food bank as much as possible.

Zeva’s mum, Cherry Emmerson matched her daughter’s saving, doubling the donation to the food bank.

Zeva added: “It might sound cheesy or cliche but it feels nice to stand outside taking a picture with the food and my sister each time but even better when thinking about all the families that don't have much and they get to eat a proper meal.”

The Washington Community Food Project is a volunteer-ran food cause covering the whole of Washington, as well as Springwell.

The independent charity has no paid staff and relies on the goodwill of the community to volunteer and provide emergency food parcels to people who need them.

In December 2019, the Sunderland Echo reported how the project moved to a new base at The Galleries in Washington to help it better serve the community.

Visit http://wcfp.org.uk/ or follow the project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/washingtoncfp/ for more information on how to help or get help.