Carlisle United Community Sports Trust have been supporting the Hebron Evangelical church in Carlisle this Christmas.
John Halpin, Ryan Godderidge and Teresa Mulholland recently attended the Hebron108 meal bank provision and met many of the service users who access this free service.
The project provides a good meal, in a safe place, with volunteers eager to listen and help anyone who needs respite and advice during such challenging times.
Following on from the visit, CST staff have arranged to pop along again in the New Year to volunteer their services in preparing a hot meal for one of the 108 meal bank sessions.
As part of this new partnership, the Community Sports Trust wanted to support the Hebron Christmas Hamper Appeal.
CST created a hamper and CUFC kindly donated some selection boxes.
The hamper was collected by Rebecca Davidson, who works at the Hebron Evangelical church, which was then split up into many different hampers which were being distributed out into the community. The selection boxes were shared out during the 108-meal bank provision.
Teresa Mulholland-CUFC Assistant Manager said: "It was an overwhelming experience visiting the meal bank provision, the service the Hebron church provide is extraordinary.
"From hot meals, a listening ear, access to health advice and provision of a hot shower and clean clothes. This service is a lifeline for the homeless within the city as well as those experiencing a tough time during the cost-of-living crisis.
"We will continue to work with Rebecca Davidson and the team to support the community in any way we can, we are looking forward to heading back down in the New Year to prepare a hot meal for the 108-meal bank."
Rebecca Davidson from Hebron church said: "Thank you so much to the CUFC Community Sports Trust for working with us over these past few months. For many life can be tough, 11,700 children in Cumbria live in poverty, that’s 28% of children in the county with 1 in 10 households living in fuel poverty. The cost-of-living crisis affects many Cumbrian families on low incomes, the impact on jobs and health has pushed many families to the brink.
"The hamper will go a long way in supporting our Christmas hamper appeal. We partner with Social Services and our local authority Health Visitors to identify families in need, the hampers are then delivered to those that need a little bit of joy this Christmas. We have supplied 157 hampers this year which is a Hebron record!
"We are looking forward to CST coming along to cook for our 108 meal bank provision in the New Year. Thank you also to CUFC for the dozen selection boxes; these were shared out during the 108 meal bank provision, providing a Christmas themed treat during the evening."
Click HERE for more information on Hebron Evangelical Church.