Congratulations to Feed The Need Coalville who recently won the ‘Volunteer-Led Organisation of the Year’ category at the prestigious VAL Awards 2023 (Voluntary Action Leicestershire) which celebrate the fantastic contribution volunteers, charities and community groups make in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Sarah from Feed The Need commented: “Oakland has supported Feed The Need tremendously and I don’t think we’d still be going today if it wasn’t for their support.
“They’ve helped us both financially and logistically – donating surplus food which means we don’t need to buy as much, as well as adding variety and fresh food to our food parcels. They also help store our food which frees up space at our small unit.
“They also pack our food parcels which has taken a big weight off our shoulders. Some of the Oakland team volunteer for us on a Saturday too when we open the food bank and give out the parcels. Overall their help has been invaluable as we have continued to get busier.”
Speaking about receiving the award and what it means Sarah added: “It’s lovely for all of our hard work to be acknowledged and celebrated by this award. We don’t have any paid staff; everybody is a volunteer giving up their spare time to help those in need. It was wonderful just to be nominated and we didn’t expect to win, so that was an added bonus.”
As 2024 gets underway Feed The Need expects to get even busier throughout the winter months and as the cost-of-living crisis continues, so it’s business as usual while continually looking for funding, donations and ever more volunteers.
Oakland International’s Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting commented: “Supporting great causes within our communities is at the core of Oakland International’s values and our team enjoys working together knowing that they are playing a pivotal role in helping others.
“Feed The Need is a charity delivering a service that helps the very people that need help and support.”