During September and October JCI Rotherham will be collecting food for Rotherham food bank. It is the next stage in our ‘challenge collect' program aimed at getting JCI Rotherham members involved in the community.

So far this year we have collected 23,000 stamps for radio nightingale (target 2,000), 11 Easter eggs for JCI Barnsley's Hospital Easter appeal (target 10) and 100 sunglasses for JCI UK's shade aid appeal (target 20). All exceeding planned targets. With a target of 30 food items for the appeal I am sure we can reach our target and make a really difference to people in the town.

How the food bank work:
Food is donated: Schools, churches, businesses and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to the foodbank. All food given out by Rotherham foodbank is donated. ‘Supermarket Collections' are one of the main ways that food is donated: These are food drives held at supermarkets where volunteers give shoppers a ‘foodbank shopping list' and ask them to buy an extra item or two for local people in crisis.
Food is sorted and stored:Volunteers sort food to check that it's in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need.Frontline care professionals identify people in need. Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, CAB and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
Clients receive food: Foodbank clients bring their voucher to the foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.

Tins like the above start from 13p and can mean the difference between someone being able to feed themselves or their children.

We will be collecting both food items and donations at all our events until 11th October. All our members will also accept food or donations if you see us out and about in the region or UK.

Good Luck and get collecting!

Charlie Pearson 

JCI Rotherham 2014 President