Hartlepool energy firm shows Christmas spirit with collection for church food bank

Workers from Utility Alliance, the energy consultancy based at Hartlepool Marina, have been donating non-perishable food items since the start of the month for the town’s St Aidan’s Kitchen.

The firm’s Continuous Improvement Manager Sophie Hudspeth set the ball rolling by asking Tesco in Hartlepool if it was possible to borrow a shopping trolley to use as a collection point, and since then the donations have been coming in from staff on a daily basis.

Sophie said: “Tesco was a huge help to us, not only did they loan us a trolley but they also allowed us to start the appeal by doing some shopping free of charge so we are really grateful to Kieran and Carolyn from the Hartlepool store for their kindness.

“Once we put the trolley into our reception area, staff have been really kind to bring things in which they have picked up when they’ve been doing their own shopping.

“As a company we take a great deal of pride in helping local causes, and at this time of year in particular we know just how important the work is that is done by the St Aidan’s Kitchen.”

St Aidan’s Church Kitchen has gone from helping 15 people who visited when it first opened its doors in August 2017 to now helping around 120 people every week.

Volunteers provide a hot meal, groceries and toiletries to anyone who struggles to feed themselves including those who are homeless.