Publication Date: 10-11-2023 09:00
Foodbank donation point set up at development in Dorset
Bellway is supporting the community in Blandford by setting up a collection point for the local foodbank at its St Mary’s Hill development.
Donations can now be left at the development for Nourish, which is based at the United Reformed Church in Blandford Forum and was previously known as Blandford Foodbank.
Nourish Food Bank Manager Gail Del-Pinto visited St Mary’s Hill, off Roman Avenue, on Monday (6 November) with a donation point, and assisted Bellway staff in its setup.
As well as providing space for the donation point in the sales centre, Bellway donated a variety of goods to the foodbank, including tinned items such as minced beef, chicken casserole and Fray Bentos pies, as well as tinned potatoes and mixed vegetables.
Gail said: “Nourish (formerly Blandford Foodbank) are very grateful to Bellway for the opportunity to have a donation point within their site office.
“The work that we do, helping the most vulnerable within our community, is totally reliant on donations. Our very grateful thanks to Bellway for supporting us in this way.”
Nourish is one of four foodbanks in Dorset run by Faithworks in partnership with local churches. It supports people living in Blandford Forum and surrounding villages.
As well as the food bank, Nourish also has a community larder and a café area as well as offering services such as debt advice and cookery workshops.
Emily Putnam, Sales Manager for Bellway Wessex, said: “Our aim in providing a foodbank collection point at St Mary’s Hill is to offer some much-needed help to people who are struggling with the cost of living.
“Supporting the local community is really important to us and we hope that the donation point will help the foodbank continue its invaluable community outreach work.”
Bellway Wessex is building 207 new homes at St Mary’s Hill, which is located at the southern edge of the village, while Ashberry Homes, which is part of the Bellway Group, is building 143 new homes at St Mary’s View, on a neighbouring parcel of land.
As part of the planning agreement for St Mary’s Hill, Bellway is to contribute a total of £2.4 million to help improve local infrastructure and services. More than £2 million of this funding will go towards education in the area.
For more information on Bellway’s St Mary’s Hill development, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/wessex/st-marys-hill, or call 01258 787550.
