Crossroads Meltham Foodbank

Today, the lovely Gill from Holme Valley Lions called in to see us, and left a whopping donation of women's products for our foodbank clients.

It's an absolute godsend !

I believe Gill has been a single parent to a girl, and it's something she feels passionately about. It's been brought to light as an issue during the cost of living crisis, and girls are either doing without, or suffering toxic shock syndrome from leaving them in too long. This is awful, so Gill's gone and done something about it.

Bless you Gill !

Applications for grants are now being invited from individuals or groups that are based in Meltham, Helme and Wilshaw.

Applications need to be submitted to The Crossroads Centre by Wednesday 28th August 2024.

For more information or to download an application form, please visit our website:

https://www.thecrossroadsproject.co.uk/apply-for-a-grant/

Alternatively, for a paper application form, please call in at The Crossroads Centre.

Apply For A Grant - Meltham Crossroads Apply for a grantWho can apply for a grant?Individuals or groups based in Meltham, Helme and Wilshaw.Applications open:Monday 29th July 2024Applications close:Wednesday 28th August 2024Download an Application Form - Word ... Read More

On Sunday, for Meltham Retro Weekend, "It's a knockout " came to Broadlands Rec. Crossroads put up a team, and the Foodbank joined in.

I should like to say that we did ourselves proud - but sadly I can't...because we were a bit rubbish ( probably due to laughing ). However, we had the most fun it's possible to have...

Last Friday, Matthew came down to see us, and brought a tableful with him.

Thanks Matthew !
Things like this help us to keep doing what we do...

RIP

Rob Burrow

1982 - 2024

Today, we were visited by the lovely Emily 1 and Emily 2 from Yorkshire Building Society in Honley. They chose us for a significant charitable donation, and it'll help us to keep doing what we do. Here they are, along with volunteers Stella, Anne, Sue, Phil, Judith and Chris.

The Emilies enjoyed a whistle stop tour of the whole Project, and liked what they saw.
They didn't go home empty handed either, leaving with complimentary rhubarb !

Grant applications are now being invited from individuals or groups based in Meltham, Helme and Wilshaw.

Applications must be submitted to The Crossroads Centre by Friday 24th May 2024.

For more information or to download an application form, please visit our website:
https://www.thecrossroadsproject.co.uk/apply-for-a-grant/

Applications can be submitted via email. Receipt of email applications should be acknowledged by us within a few days.

Alternatively, please call in at The Crossroads Shop or The Crossroads Centre for a paper application form.

Look what I won in the raffle at Friday's Civic Dinner !
Sadly, I've been a vegetarian for the last 52 years...
Fortunately, I've got Ukrainian guests staying with me, and they're very carnivorous.

But I've got form...This time I came 2nd in the raffle, and last year it was 1st. So, the lesson is - if you're thinking of entering in a raffle, and I'm there - don't bother, you'll be throwing good money after bad...

About 15 years ago, and a long time before the foodbank moved into the old Town Hall, I cleared out what is now the fridge and freezer room there, and came across these old local council ballot boxes and kept them. They're a piece of history, like an instant bit of time travel, an object reaching out from another era.

These lovely old lockable tin boxes existed because we valued what they gave us - the right to a say in how we're governed. Folk died for our right to do this - celebrate them and vote...

Recently I've realised that the grown-ups who are supposed to be running the foodbank might as well pack up and go home !

It seems like local children are doing a pretty good job of donating, and doing the actual work.

Just before the Easter break, Sam brought these lovely kids from Meltham Pre-School Playgroup to our warehouse. They'd been reading "Today is a no money day", and brought in oodles of donations, then put them all away in their right places.

Bless all of you !

On Friday, the volunteers had a surprise visit and donation from Alexander, Emmeline and mum Helen.

They're doing their Blue Peter Silver Badge, and they decided their act of kindness would be shopping at the local supermarket and donating to our foodbank.

What a brilliant idea Alsxander and Emmeline - good luck with your silver badge !

Kids astound you sometimes, and encouraging them is fun too

This brilliant young man Parker Lawson, heard about us, and bought sweets with his pocket money to donate.

Mum Laura brought him to the Foodbank, and we showed them round

Thank you Parker - you're a hero !

For some, a reduced income may mean choosing between putting food on the table, and heating their home. We focus on helping clients with their groceries, but they won't be much use without gas or electricity to cook them.

If you're in energy debt, there's emergency funding available from YES energy solutions until the end of this month. Maybe your home is so badly insulated that all the heat's going out of the window. You could have a free home assessment carried out with a view to reducing crippling bills.

Please read their summary below, and get in touch - it could solve a major problem

For as long as we've been operating, we've tried our best to make sure that everyone in the Community knows where to find us, and what we do. But we keep trying...

Maybe you're struggling to make ends meet right now. The cost of living has risen steadily for some time, but your benefits or wages may not have gone up accordingly. Food is no longer as cheap as it has been, and energy prices soared. Maybe you're managing, but have a friend or neighbour who isn't.

We're still here, and we won't be going away for the foreseeable future. The simple message is - if you live in Meltham or Netherton, we won't see you going without. There's no stigma in coming forward - We won't judge you. If you need our help regularly, then we'll even make you an appointment with our Debt and benefit adviser. He might be able to you get back on your feet.

If you need us, we're a friendly voice on the end of the phone. Please call.between 10am and 12noon Monday to Friday, or call in to see us at The Crossroads Centre. Our number is 07564 764137 or 01484 929117.

Thank you

** REMINDER: Grant Applications need to be submitted to The Crossroads Centre by close of play tomorrow Thursday 29th February 2024 **

Applications for grants are invited from individuals or groups that are based in Meltham, Helme and Wilshaw.

For more information or to download an application form, please visit our website:

https://www.thecrossroadsproject.co.uk/apply-for-a-grant/

Alternatively, for a paper application form, please call in at The Crossroads Shop or The Crossroads Centre.

Earlier this month, Morrison's Christmas giving tree bore fruit !

Customers picked a bauble, and paid for it at the checkout. It's raised a whopping £525, and it's much needed.

Thanks to all the generous customers and Morrisons Meltham Community Champion Rachael for setting it up!

Join us at The Crossroads Centre in each Wednesday morning for ‘Warm and Welcoming Wednesday’.

🗓 Every Wednesday
⌚ 10am to 1pm
📍 The Crossroads Centre, Meltham

Hot beverages and soup, activities, meet new people and share thoughts on keeping warm and coping in the winter months.

The Crossroads Project working In partnership Kirklees Community Plus.

As an independent, local charity, we rely on the support of local people like you - please help us if you can.

Our current shortages include Baked Beans, Chopped Tomatoes, Jam, Long Life Milk, Pasta Sauce, Pasta, Rice Pudding, Tinned Meat Meals and Tuna.

We do not require certain brands - non-branded and supermarket own brands are gratefully received.

Full details of what food items can be donated can be found on our website:
https://www.thecrossroadsproject.co.uk/donate-food-items/

Food can be donated and dropped off in the Red Bins at:
- the Co-op in Meltham
- the Co-op in Netherton

Food can also be donated and dropped off at:
- The Crossroads Centre in Meltham (usually open Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm).

Financial donations can also be made, see our website for details:
https://www.thecrossroadsproject.co.uk/donate-funds/

Thank you very much for your ongoing support!

This morning, we had a visit from Paul and Leah Davies. Cllr Paul Davies is hoping to be our Member of Parliament at the next election, and while we're non-political, we wish him success !

Paul and Leah came to see exactly what the Crossroads Project does, and how the foodbank works. Sue spent time explaining about the myriad groups that the Centre hosts and the services they provide. Then, Warehouse Manager Anne Bentley and myself showed them round our warehouse.

Paul is passionate about helping people with the cost of living crisis, and so are we.

Good luck, Paul and Leah !

Yesterday, the Foodbank had a visit from Jenny of Meltham Friend to Friend group. She brought the fabulous £362 raised at Friend to Friend Christmas lunch, and from their Tai Chi group.

Not only that, but she then took Warehouse Manager Anne off to Morrison's for a supermarket sweep, and just look at what a food mountain it is !

Thank you so much to you all for digging deep for us

It's so cold out there now, and heating is just as important as eating.
Tracy Netherwood has hand knitted these gorgeous boy and girl blankets for our clients...

Thank you so much Tracy !

Meltham Health Fair
🗓 Wednesday 17th January 2024
⌚ 12pm to 6pm
📍 The Carlile Institute & The Crossroads Centre, Meltham

Come along to speak with health professionals and local groups to find new ways to stay healthy, happy and more active!

Thank you to everyone at St. Mary's Wilshaw from all.the volunteers at the foodbank. This tableful is from their Christmas reverse Advent Calendar, and it couldn't have come at a better time!

We honestly thought that Christmas largesse had run its course!

Learn to Crochet - for free!

The Crossroads Centre have teamed up with Yorkshire Wellbeing Skills Group to bring you a series of craft therapy sessions where you can relax and learn how to crochet.

The first session starts on the 9th January 2024

To register, visit https://bit.ly/FreeCrochetMeltham or call 07547 179 336

🗓 Every Tuesday from 9th January 2024
⌚ 10am to 1pm
📍 The Crossroads Centre, Meltham
🎟 FREE to attend!

Maybe the last message before Christmas about donations, but one of the more poignant...

That's because again it's from the younger generation doing what they do - which is thinking of others first.

Thank you so much Meltham Under 15s !

Merry Christmas everyone

I've been Foodbank Manager for about 15 months now, and some of the jobs I have to do are woeful - filling in staffing gaps, writing reports, even cleaning out drains etc etc.

The one that I absolutely love doing is thanking people here for their amazing community spirit, and it's been busy, busy, busy this Christmas...

Ramsdens Solicitors of Slaithwaite visited us yesterday with this tableful of food donated by their staff (top). Sharon from Meltham called us to come and collect a big bagful of much needed toiletries (bottom left). Finally, myself and Warehouse Manager Anne were treated to a gorgeous Christmas Dinner, courtesy of Morrisons Meltham Community Champion Rachael, and very good it was too (bottom right).

Thank you so much to all of you out there - we couldn't do it without you !

Have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year from all the volunteers at the Foodbank

We have an emergency exit at the Centre, which is important - if we're not safe, we can't operate. But recently it's become a death trap. We asked for pressure washing companies and a few responded.

Then Paul Nielsen from Helme said that as we're a community foodbank, he'd do it tor free. We decided not to haggle...

When it needs doing again, Paul says he'll be happy to come back.

Paul - you're a legend !

Help !!!
Can anyone recommend a local pressure washing company?

It's great having friends like Morrisons and Morrisons Meltham Community Champion !

Again this year, they've put up a Christmas Giving tree in their foyer, and 100% of donations go to Crossroads Meltham Foodbank. It's because they know how we work, what we do, and they trust us.

It's oh so simple...If you have a pound or two, or even five - pick up a bauble from it, take it to the till when you're ready, and it mounts up through to January. The beauty of a cash donation is that we can use it for what's most needed at the time.

Thank you