We are so grateful to all the people, companies, churches, schools, students, choirs, shops and other local organisations who helped to bring joy to the individuals and families we supported this Christmas.
So many kind donations were given and most gratefully received. Essential food and festive treats for Bath Foodbank, care packages for our Life Projects clients and donations of money for our Christmas Gift Appeal all meant that we were able to give more than just emergency food and crisis support. We were hopefully able to bring some Christmas joy, strengthen relationships and create more connectedness after another difficult year.
At the same time we have had our Christmas Appeal (which is still open until 15 January!). Through all these acts of kindness and generosity we have been humbled by the desire of so many people to help homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged people to find hope and a better future.
It really is a ‘Grateful January’!
It was wonderful to be able to give families in receipt of Foodbank support a £20 toy voucher for The Entertainer for each child. It is empowering for parents and children alike to have a choice about what to buy as a present. This year we gave over 240 children a toy voucher.
Grainne Moher, the Foodbank Manager said, “It was wonderful to have been able to offer the toy vouchers to families again this Christmas, many of whom were overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community. For so many parents and guardians to be able to choose a gift to put under the tree provided huge relief. Thank you for your amazing support.”
We gave our Life Projects clients a Christmas gift which may have been the only gift that they received. We had a wonderful team of volunteers who wrapped over 100 presents, with love. Paul Solly, Lifeline Manager reflected, “The Christmas presents were very gratefully received. The torches and flasks were a big hit. People were very grateful to receive presents of good quality. The hot water bottles and frying pans also went down very well. We are so grateful to everyone who donated towards this.”
Sadly, we were not able to host our Christmas dinners at the Gateway Centre as planned but instead we were able to give take away turkey sandwiches that had been generously made and provided by the No 15 Hotel. The Christmas dinners were not cancelled but postponed until Easter – all being well!
The run up to Christmas is such a busy time of year for everyone and it certainly is for us across all our projects. Genesis Trust could not support all the people that we do without the support of our local community. We are so grateful for the gifts of all kinds and, in particular, the donation of time by our volunteers. As we venture into January all of us at Genesis Trust wish you a Happy New Year and many blessings for 2022!
