“Daisy’s supporters have ensured that this Christmas many more people can enjoy the small treats
Rukia Augustine, CEO of the St Albans & District Foodbank
that many of us are fortunate enough to enjoy at this time of year.“
Daisy Cooper MP met with staff from St Albans District & Foodbank to celebrate the runaway success
of the first part of her Christmas fundraiser appeal, which raised £15,115 for the foodbank.
Generous donations from St Albans residents saw the original target of £10,000 easily reached in just
over three days.
The funds raised will help supplement the foodbank’s standard three-day emergency food parcels for
Christmas week with essential fresh fruit and veg and a few festive treats such as crackers and
biscuits.
In the last year alone, St Albans & District Foodbank distributed nearly 10,000 three-day emergency
food parcels – and almost half were for children. It’s also seeing more schools and community
agencies becoming referral partners.
Along with Lib Dem Cllr Jacqui Taylor, Daisy visited the foodbank’s Redbourn warehouse to meet the
team and hand over a cheque with the amount raised.
Rukia Augustine, CEO of the St Albans & District Foodbank, said: “We are seeing more and more
families having to turn to the food bank for help due to the rise in the cost of living. Soaring food and
fuel costs are affecting us all, but for families on the very lowest incomes this crisis means so much
more.
“It means having to make impossible decisions between putting food on the table or affording
internet access for the children to do their homework. Too many people are being left with no option
but to use a food bank because their money simply won’t stretch.
“It is our belief that everyone should be able to afford the essentials, and no one should have to make
choices between eating or keeping their homes warm.
“Daisy’s supporters have ensured that this Christmas many more people can enjoy the small treats
that many of us are fortunate enough to enjoy at this time of year.
“We’re very lucky that here in St Albans, there are many generous donors to keep us well-stocked. If
anyone out there reading this needs our services but is hesitating to use the foodbank – please don’t. We have plenty to go around, and the service we provide is discreet and confidential.”
Daisy said: “I’m simply blown away by everyone’s generosity – a huge thank you to everyone who
donated. Your contributions are going to help make so many people’s Christmases that much better.
“I know first-hand through my work just how vital the foodbank is to our community, and that this
year, so many more people across St Albans are turning to the foodbank perhaps for the first time in
their lives. Quite frankly, it’s a travesty that in 2022 foodbanks are still needed at all, but I’m so
grateful to everyone who has rallied round to make sure that that our local foodbank is well-stocked
and to all the foodbank volunteers for their hard work and dedication.”
Daisy closed the fundraiser shortly after the target was hit in late November. She’s now started
another appeal, this time in aid of Small Acts of Kindness, which has so far raised £9,600.
The Hertfordshire-based charity helps older people combat loneliness and isolation, and also provides
‘Warm in Winter’ bags containing products to help the recipient stay warm, as well as providing
resources and information to help them reach out in their local area for help and support.
With the charity estimating another 2,000 bags will be needed in January, Daisy is aiming to raise
£10,000 of the £50,000 needed for this. Donations to this fundraiser can be made here.
If you need more info on how you can be referred for foodbank’s services, please get in touch with
them by visiting https://stalbansdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/ or by calling Citizens Advice St
Albans District on 01727 811 118.