Help Feed 300 People this Christmas

Yesterday on of the MP's for Wandsworth spoke in parliament highligthing the poverty that some of our most vulnerable citizens are facing. Homelessness.

On Christmas day at least 2,500 children will wake up without a home in Wandsworth in the UK. This means they'll be in bed and breakfasts, hostels and crummy accomodation. Most probably without a tree, presents or any Christmas cheer. This is just not acceptable at any time of year, but especially in the Austerity Christmas so many are facing.

At Be Enriched we have decided that we will be opening our doors on Christmas day to the elderly, the young, disadvantaged and lonely and are bringing Christmas to the community. We'll be cooking a full Christmas dinner with trimmings and handing out gifts to those who otherwise may not get any. We've assembled a group of volunteers to cook, drive and sing on the day, giving up their christmas morning to help others.

We are so grateful for the donations we have recieved over this month which will really go a long way to enabling that everyone can enjoy the day of family and giving and for at least a few hours maybe they will forget the the pain of living in poverty.

So thank you again for your generous donations and we'll let you know how it all goes.

The Be Enriched Team

Over the summer we have seen a rise in the amount of people needing access to fresh fruit and vegetables. On top of this lonliness and social isolation is on the rise. Especially amongst the older generation.

Despite this we have seen a sense of community develop across all of our projects with older people supporting thier peers. One particular guest, John, has brought several of his friends with him each week. John said "It just helps to get them out. Anything to get away from sitting in front of the TV. That's what they'd do all day". John is a elderly man in his late 60's that deeply cares for his friends, some of whom he has known since school. But as his wife has died he now lives alone, like many men his age, only his companions remain. He doesn't have mushc money but "he knows where to go for a hot meal, and he's a good laugh" Sharon told me. Sharon met John when she moved into the area with her kids. NOw her kids are grown up and moved away. She's been moved into a bedsit and away from the area she knew her whole life and relies on John to get her out. Sharon relies on her state pension of £150 a week to cover all her life costs including rent and basic needs. She can't afford to put on the heating or put money into the gas meter and survives by cakes and sandwiches. Unless she's eating a hot meal at one of our canteens. But they're only open once a week.

John and Sharon are typical of people at our canteens. This is a sad story and one we want to bring to an end. With your help we will.

We are almost at our critical fundraising point, where we will have enough money to open a centre for people like John and Sharon to come to every week.

Please make a recurring donation today and support people like your neighbours, your friends and your parents today

Links:

• The Graveney Canteen - Article in National news