John Lewis Partnership donates 3,510 food parcels to support care leavers into the New Year
The John Lewis Partnership is supporting 1,170 care-experienced people with 3,510 food parcels to support them until New Year.
The food parcels will be distributed to care leavers who would otherwise have been alone on Christmas day at lunches that will be organised by community volunteers and coordinated by The Gold From The Stone Foundation.
Sarah Dayananda, sustainability & ethics manager, social impact at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We’re delighted to be working again with The Gold From The Stone Foundation, and the wonderful volunteers who organise Christmas lunches for care leavers. Support is needed beyond the ‘big day’, so we hope that the care leavers feel appreciated and considered in a time of isolation for many.”
This year, the partnership is donating three bespoke food parcels each to 1,170 people to keep them going with essential items and treats into the New Year. These will include items such as tea and coffee, soup, sweet and savoury biscuits, mince pies, pasta and pasta sauce, chocolate and crisps.
Founded by author, poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE, The Gold From The Stone Foundation believes that no care leaver should feel alone on Christmas day.
Sissay said: “I am over the moon that Waitrose and John Lewis Partners are supporting The Christmas Dinners throughout the country. Waitrose are providing incredible Christmas hampers filled with goodies for the young care leavers to take home after the Christmas dinner. This support is crucial in winter time. It means the care goes beyond the dinner into the homes of vulnerable young people.”
A further 600 food parcels will be given to 200 care experienced guests at Christmas day lunches hosted by Who Cares? Scotland – one of the John Lewis Partnership’s charity partners for its Building Happier Futures programme.
