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We appeared in the local paper

10th November 2021

Crowned as one of the richest places in Yorkshire, Harrogate is famous for its spa scene, beautiful gardens and busy shopping streets.

It’s not where you would expect to find families struggling to afford food, but the Harrogate district manager, Dawn Cussons of Harrogate District Foodbank says people are often “shocked” to see how many are in need of help.

Dawn Cussons, who started in her role during the pandemic, said the food bank has fed around 22,000 people since opening ten years ago.

And she said demand is only rising due to the climbing cost of living and people’s financial worries – with an average of 80 struggling individuals coming forward for help in a single week.

This included a healthcare worker recently out of employment and Mrs Cussons said perceptions of food banks can often create false stereotypes of those who rely on them.

She said:

“These are just ordinary folk who can’t make ends meet.

“We had one family in recently – the mum was a healthcare worker and just felt weighed down and because of that she had some anxiety and mental health issues.

“She is just a normal mum and didn’t know where to turn.

“There are a lot of people out there like this at the moment and I don’t know how it is ever going to get any better.”

Busiest time of year

Our last shift at Foodbank of 2022. It’s been quite a hectic year. So many local people to feed but overwhelmed with the amount of donations gifted to us by our faithful givers in Harrogate.
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, without you the foodbank would not operate.
Hope all clients, donors and volunteers had a lovely, peaceful, joyous Christmas. God bless.
Dawn Cussons
Harrogate district manager

   

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