It was the ‘end of a era’ as we dispatched the final lorry load from our Billingshurst warehouse. There were times when even this building was filled to the doors but circumstances evolve, the diversity of the needs is less than in earlier days and the regulations governing the import of goods have become more stringent. Together these changes mean that we no longer need the facilities of a large warehouse. However, we do intend to continue to collect, prepare and dispatch items which are still needed. There is an opportunity to send smaller loads more frequently, this will better suit our packing team – and our treasurer!
Our regular packing sessions at Horley Baptist Church have finished for this year – many thanks to all who donated or joined in the sorting, packing and dispatching the aid. We expect to resume packing on the 3rd and 17th January 2025.
It is now approaching 12 months since we started receiving short-dated foodstuffs from a local supermarket chain. This is produce that has been discounted in the store but has not sold before its sell-by date, meaning that it has to be distributed very quickly. Initially we received stock from two stores but July one of the stores arranged for another charity to share the items, meaning some relief for our staff. There is significant effort and expense on our behalf in collecting and documenting these donations but we do think that the benefit to needy households makes it worthwhile. The total retail value of items received to date is equivalent to over £85,000 or some £1,600 per week for the whole period to date.
In a separate initiative, before Christmas we will be participating in a collection directly from the shoppers; these items can be given to families who might not meet the stricter criteria for the main food distribution.
As we have come to expect, there were changes in the paperwork necessary for importing the recent load into Romania. With some effort we were able to satisfy the new requirements; this was helped by the excellent quality of the goods in the load and the way they were packed.
This Month’s Featured Photos
Sending …: Preparing the inventory … The end of an era … Leave only footprints
and Receiving: After customs inspection … The night shift at work … Safely in the warehouse
Preparing for distribution: Finishing the paperwork … Transfer to the office … Eager recipients
Last month’s statistics
| Categories | November 2024 |
Same month last year |
% Change year on year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Beneficiaries: joiners / leavers | 20 / 50 | 22 / 30 | |
| Beneficiaries this month: | 161 | 168 | -4% |
| Number of Donations: | 196 | 185 | 6% |
| Total Value of Donations (excl food): (£ equivalent) | £576 | £3,923 | -85% |
| Exchange Rate, RON to GBP | 5·9655 | 5·7068 | 5% |
Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.
Previous month’s news: November 2024
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