Lostock Hall food bank celebrating successful Lent collection for families in need

A Lostock Hall food bank is celebrating the success of its Lent Collection Box Scheme.
Eli collected the items for New Day Church Food Bank's Lent box collection scheme.Eli collected the items for New Day Church Food Bank's Lent box collection scheme.
Eli collected the items for New Day Church Food Bank's Lent box collection scheme.

New Day Church Food Bank encouraged people to donate one essential item a day for 40 days, rather than giving something up during Lent. Items included pasta, rice, sauces, tinned food, UHT milk, tea, coffee, cakes and toiletries, and helped to support families in need.

Despite facing concerns like lock-down restrictions and stockpiling, New Day received multiple completed boxes and volunteers say they are encouraged that people made the extra effort to join in.

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Volunteer Jennifer Tidy said: “It has been heart-warming to receive the Lent Boxes and hear the stories behind them.

Eli Davison-Livesey with his decorated Lent collection box.Eli Davison-Livesey with his decorated Lent collection box.
Eli Davison-Livesey with his decorated Lent collection box.

"We will look forward to running the scheme next year and hope it will even more successful! Although our clients can’t thank the families who have taken part personally, I would like to pass on their gratitude – you have put smiles on their faces during this difficult time.”

One lady gave money to the good cause, as she could not leave her house to donate items, while the first box to be received was put together by six-year-old Eli and his family, who are from Lostock Hall.

He even put his creative skills to the test by decorating the box and finished it early so that it could go straight out to a struggling family.

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The food bank also received a large donation of items from staff at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School in Walton-le-Dale, as well as teaching assistant Adele Norwell, who took it home to finish off due to lock-down. Adele then opened it up to her neighbours on the Holland House Estate, who provided enough items to fill multiple Lent boxes.

New Day would also like to thank Marcelle Free and all others who have supported the scheme.