Families will be supported during the summer holidays thanks to a new partnership/

Staff and customers of The Works, located on Devonshire Street in Penrith, have donated a range of arts and crafts supplies, books and activity packs to The Salvation Army Penrith, located on Hunters Lane, for them to distribute to the families it works with. 

Church leaders of The Salvation Army in Penrith have chosen to push most of the generous donations out to families via its food bank service, as the school holidays start later this month, and the cost of living continues to affect many in different ways. 

Major Carole Donaldson of The Salvation Army said: “The arts and crafts materials, the books and activity packs will bring smiles to the faces of children, families, and parents once the school holidays begin.  

“The cost-of-living crisis is not only shining a light on the expense of food and energy as the costs continue to rise but also the extra pressures that many families face of keeping their children busy and entertained once the schools break up for summer.

“Anything that we can do to help those that may be struggling, we will do, and we felt the best way was to include these items in our food parcels, providing a silver lining on a dark cloud that more and more people are finding themselves under.” 

The Salvation Army operates a large food bank out of its church in Penrith which is open two days a week, Tuesday and Friday, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

The foodbank operates on a referral basis from the likes of Citizens Advice, job centres, local schools, health visitors and doctors.

Self-referral is also accepted by calling the church directly on 01768 866732. 

For anyone wishing to donate food to the food bank, drop-off points are located at Booths Penrith and Morrisons Penrith, both located on Brunswick Road, and the church and community centre on Hunters Lane, Tuesday – Friday between 10 – 2:30 pm.  

The church also has a Just Giving page which can be found at www.justgiving.com/penrith-salvation-army and while all donations are welcome people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.

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