COLLECTING FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED

Click here for details of the Reading local food banks.

With continued help from the good people of the Reading community we are able to support New Beginnings and other local food banks through our 'Food Heroes' initiative. There is still a great need for food to be provided for many who are struggling in the current cost of living crisis.

Food collection boxes are located around the Tilehurst and Reading area and we welcome any donations of food and toiletries. Boxes are emptied on a regular basis and delivered by our volunteers to the food banks. Box locations and a list of the most needed items can be found below. If you have a group (work, school, church, Club etc. ) who you feel could support by doing collections we would love to hear from you.

Please contact us via:secretary@readinglions.org.uk

Donation points:

Meadway News, 151 The Meadway, Tilehurst RG30 4AP

50 Park Lane, Tilehurst RG31 5DT

Fledglings Day Nursery, Little Heath School, Little Heath Rd, Tilehurst RG31 5TY

61 Westwood Glen, Tilehurst RG31 5NW

98 Cotswold Way, Tilehurst RG31 6SR

The Co-Operative, The Colonade, Overdown Road, Tilehurst RG31 6PR

8 Armour Hill, Tilehurst RG31 6JS

Fledglings Lodge, 51 Armour Hill, Tilehurst RG31 6JP

84 Thirlmere Avenue, Tilehurst RG30 6XL

40 Goodliffe Gardens, Tilehurst RG31 6FZ

33 Simons Close, Tilehurst RG31 6GA

Pure Gym, Unit 3 Reading Retail Park, Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1PR

34 Haywood Way, Tilehurst RG30 4QP

108 Usk Rd, Tilehurst RG30 4HU

7 Greenfinch Close, Tilehurst RG31 4SY

12 Brooksby Rd, Tilehurst RG31 6LX

With your help we are continuing to work to reduce Food Poverty with our ongoing Food Heroes campaign.

We wanted to specially mention a lady who made a larger food donation recently. She had a 'little win' and spent a chunk of her winnings on food donations and also used her supermarket tokens.

Also we have help from a very generous gentleman who brings us a big bag of shopping usually weekly.

Fledglings Day Nursery and Fledglings Lodge made a collection within their childcare settings during the Harvest festival period. A big thank you to all those who contributed.

We are always so grateful to receive any donations, no matter how small - it all helps!

If you are able to purchase an extra item or just have a look through your cupboards and have food or toiletries that you are not likely to use then please consider donating to us. We just ask that donations are unopened items that are within their use by date.

The items that are most needed are listed on the New Beginnings website - https://www.newbeginningsreading.org/help-us

Food

Food Donation Heroes 2024 In January the Downsway Community Coffee Hub was founded by Dot and Mandy. On Wednesday mornings the Hub at Downsway school opens and members of the local community meet for coffee, a chat, and some fun and laughter. We are very grateful for all of the generous food donations received from the group who collect items every fortnight. Reading Lions have pleasure in presenting the group with a certificate of appreciation for all of their amazing donations.

Thank you to those Food Donation Heroes who have helped collect over £200,000 worth of food during the pandemic and beyond. The demand unfortunately continues.

How can you help?

Reading Lions provides a Free box which you place outside. We visit and empty weekly, with no contact required. Whether a regular donation of a can of food, Christmas stock or a commercial clear-out, we also make one off collection direct from individual donors.

Food you donate will be forwarded to vulnerable individuals, groups and families in Reading and appreciated more than you ever know. Making you a Hero in another's eyes.

The following items are in great demand: Tins of fruit, tuna, cooked meat, pasta & sauces, long life milk, coffee, squash, jam, peanut butter, instant porridge, cup a soup, noodles, instant custard, toiletries - NOW Prescription Glasses too.

PLEASE DO NOT DONATE if you or if any member of your household or someone within immediate contact is displaying symptoms of or are suffering with diagnosed Covid-19.

Recycle logo (1)

Prescription Glasses (no cases) also collected here. Millions of people Worldwide have seen sight restored since 1967

To donate on-line and support Reading Lions Club efforts please use

WHO ARE WE SUPPORTING?

We are donating our food collections to 'New Beginnings' - a Reading charity dedicated to the relief of poverty, financial hardship and homelessness. They open their Community Fridge weekly, providing free food and living essentials to an average of 50 individuals and 23 families every day. Once a week they also provide a hot meal, cake and fruit to takeaway to those in need.

We are also donating some of our food collections to the local foodbank managed by Whitley Community Development Association in Whitley. They need all the help we can give as demand is increasing.

"Thank you, Lions, for your support. Your donation today to Whitley Community development association is really appreciated."

We are all living in unprecedented times but Reading Lions Club is here to help when it can. Contact us if you know of someone in need of assistance.

We cannot thank those participating individually, to ensure that others are not going hungry today. You are all Heroes.

A big thank you to everyone collecting for us on a regular basis - your contributions are amazing!

The Lions Club of Reading is a registered charity (No.1193075) - Members volunteer their time supporting many in need in Reading.

We continue to look at new ways to help those in need. Contact us if you know of someone in need of assistance or of a local cause that needs support. The Lions Club of Reading is a registered charity (No. 1193075) - All club members are volunteers offering their time freely to support those in need in Reading.

Food Heroes Download 1 Click here and here to download artwork