Essential Supporting Charities Over Christmas
05/01/2023
By Lee Nottle
At Essential, we feel very strongly about our local community. It is a big part of who we are as a cooperative. We have a great working relationship with many charities in the South West area and are really proud to have contributed to some of the amazing work they have done over the Christmas period.
Cost of Living Crisis
2022 was another rollercoaster of a year and has been a difficult time for both small businesses and individuals alike. The waves of the current geopolitical situation are still being felt across Europe and the cost of living crisis continues to impact many up and down the UK. Energy bills, food costs and other expenses have soared and more people than ever are being pushed under the poverty line.
Donations at Christmas
The South West is blessed with some fantastic charities, that work really hard to alleviate the difficulties that many people feel at Christmas. We’re really pleased that our support has helped them provide food and resources to those that need it most. We donated a range of items such as drinks, chocolate, tinned goods, snacks, cooking oils and pasta, as well as gifts for raffle prizes.
Some of the charities we have worked with include:
Marmalade Trust is the UK’s leading loneliness charity for all ages and the only charity in the world specifically dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness.
FareShare South West tackles food poverty in the South West, using food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to those that need it most.
The Hatch Camphill Community is a Supported Living provider, located in South Gloucestershire, where adults with learning disabilities live together in community.
Eastville Park Food Club
Eastville Park Food Club is a new project in Bristol providing access to surplus items from supermarkets and manufacturers.
Essential provided raffle prizes for hardworking staff and patients at St Michael’s Maternity Hospital in Bristol.
We were pleased once again, for the 24th consecutive year, to donate to Caring In Bristol’s seasonal Caring At Christmas project to help the homeless.
Over the Christmas week, they run a Christmas Shelter for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed in Bristol. This includes accommodation, food, medical services and entertainment.