Volunteers wanted for Northampton Hope Centre Easter meal after Christmas success

The Chronicle & Echo and The Hope Centre have joined forces again to put on an Easter meal for those less fortunate
By Carly Roberts
Published 12th Feb 2020, 16:38 BST
Updated 12th Feb 2020, 23:00 BST
The Rotary Club and volunteers pictured cooking the Christmas roast dinner. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.The Rotary Club and volunteers pictured cooking the Christmas roast dinner. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
The Rotary Club and volunteers pictured cooking the Christmas roast dinner. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

Last Christmas the Chron and The Hope Centre, in Campbell Street, paired up to put on a special Christmas lunch for the homeless community.

More than 120 chicken breasts, ten bags of potatoes, boxes of mince pies and a gallon of custard was served up to more than 130 people.

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Special Christmas lunch for Northampton's homeless community sees 130 fed
Aldi supplied chicken breasts, carrots, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, gravy. And, then for pudding cheesecake, mince pies, apple strudle and custard at Christmas.Aldi supplied chicken breasts, carrots, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, gravy. And, then for pudding cheesecake, mince pies, apple strudle and custard at Christmas.
Aldi supplied chicken breasts, carrots, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, gravy. And, then for pudding cheesecake, mince pies, apple strudle and custard at Christmas.
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Following the success, we have decided to host an Easter feast on Thursday, April 9, which will tie in with The Hope Centre's 'Give It Up For Lent' campaign.

If you can't volunteer on the day but still want to help in another way then any edible sacrifices you are making for Lent The Hope Centre is asking that you donate them to their charity instead.

So far, returning faces at Rotary Club Becket, who helped to prepare the dinner at Christmas, have pledged their support once more to volunteer with us.

But this year more volunteers are wanted to ferry hopeful ‘Give It Up For Lent’ donations from the Hope Centre to the warehouse.

Service users waiting for their food.Service users waiting for their food.
Service users waiting for their food.
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Hope Centre fundraising manager, Louise Danielczuk, said: “Working with community organisations like the Rotary is absolutely fantastic for the Northampton Hope Centre and gives the whole team a boost.

“Volunteers keep Hope alive and we couldn’t function if it wasn’t for the dedication of our regular volunteers and support from groups.

“Food is at the heart of Hope and it’s great to have the Rotary team coming in once again to provide food for the 120 plus people visiting our day centre every day."

Paul Simpson of Rotary Club Becket added: "We enjoyed it so much last time we wanted to do it again.

Terry Atkinson, Sid Copehan, Robert Martell, Stacy Doyle and Jan Timson were in charge of cooking.Terry Atkinson, Sid Copehan, Robert Martell, Stacy Doyle and Jan Timson were in charge of cooking.
Terry Atkinson, Sid Copehan, Robert Martell, Stacy Doyle and Jan Timson were in charge of cooking.
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"From a recruitment point of view if we have new members joining Rotary they like taking part and we are looking for hands on projects for us to get involved with.

"We often see the faces behind organisations but sometimes we are not sure what they do unless we get involved. Anything we can do that helps to raise voices and our profile is brilliant."

If you want to pledge your time, purchase food or help financially at the Hope Centre's Easter lunch on Thursday, April 9 email Chron reporter [email protected].

Related topics:Volunteers