Things are going to be a bit different for everyone this Christmas and the same goes for the clients, volunteers and staff at the Ark.
Like many other extended families, we can’t hold our annual meal, cooked by the fabulous Marcus Bean, an event that many of us look forward to throughout the year. But don’t despair, Marcus and his elves will still be cooking up a storm and delivering meals to all those in need.
Christmas cheer is still in abundance, as we’ve been discovering over the past few days.
The phone calls, emails and messages offering donations, volunteering and fundraising support during the festive period, have already started to come in and we need those small acts of kindness more than ever at this time.
We are doing things a bit differently this year. As most of our clients have been placed into a wide variety of temporary accommodation, with access to different levels of facilities, their needs are very diverse, in terms of what they need and can use.
So, instead of asking for physical donations of food, clothing and toiletries, which are complicated to monitor and handle due to Covid restrictions, we are asking people to consider giving monetary donations via our website this year.
We appreciate that it’s not as personal as handing over thoughtfully selected items, but it does enable us to purchase and deliver tailored welfare, food and gift packages to each of our clients, that are appropriate to their current living situations.
We have a gift voucher scheme for those wanting to donate to the Ark as a gift for a family member or friend, or you can simply go to our CAF donate site (link) to make a general Christmas donation.
There are other ways in which you can help:
We will need volunteers to prepare, package and deliver Christmas meals and presents throughout the festive period, so if you would be interested in getting involved please email ark@shrewsburyark.co.uk to find out more and be added the list of potential helpers.
If you’re shopping online this Christmas you might want to take a look at our Give As You Live page where you can shop in over 4000 online stores and raise funds for the Ark, at no cost to you. It’s a far more generous donation scheme than many of the other online charity shopping donation portals.
With the exciting potential prospect of moving into new premises next year, we need your support now more than ever. We’re going to have some big expenses in 2021, but the improved services we will be able to offer our clients will benefit the entire town, especially in times of such economic uncertainty.
We are so grateful to be remembered on your Christmas present lists each year, every penny you donate makes a real difference to the lives of people who are seriously struggling at this time. With your help we will always be there for them, throughout the year, not just at Christmas.
