With Thankful Hearts is gathering food and supplies, and donating them to those on the margins of society.
For two weeks, from September 20 to October 4, churches, schools and community groups will gather donations of tinned food, pasta, rice and other essential items. These donations will then be given to those in the greatest need by agencies who work with those who are homeless, vulnerable families and asylum seekers in Portsmouth.
Canon Bob White, vicar of St Mary's Church, Fratton, and chair of Hive trustees, said: "Through the centuries the season of Harvest has been a time to reflect on the food and resources we have gathered in and how they will help us through the coming months. There was a sense of thanksgiving for the crops that had been gathered and how they would nurture and sustain people through the winter that lay ahead. Often this would also be associated with a sharing of some of those ‘good things' with others who may not be so fortunate or have sufficient supplies.
Harvest Festivals are still held in many churches and schools. But the feeling was that current restrictions on the numbers who can gather for such festivals might jeopardise the collection of these donations. The agencies involved have often depended on church and school Harvest donations to enable them to help others throughout the winter. And this winter, the need may be even greater than normal.
Those who would like to help are invited to donate tinned, dried or packeted food via their local church, school or community group as a sign of their thanksgiving, and as a way of sharing what they have with others.
These items will be shared with those foodbanks and other charities who would normally be supported at Harvest Festivals, and surplus items will be stored centrally by the Hive to be distributed to those charities as need arises.
If you, your school, or faith community, or organisation would like to be part of the campaign and provide a collecting box, please contact Canon Bob White on vicar@portseaparish.co.uk and he will share more information and details of what to do with the items you have collected.
WHERE YOU CAN HAND IN DONATIONS ACROSS THE CITY
Churches:
St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral
St Thomas Church of England Cathedral
All Saints, Portsea
Church of the Ascension, North End
Church of the Holy Spirit, Southsea
Church of the Resurrection and St Andrew's, Farlington
Harbour Church at St Alban's, Copnor
Harbour Church at St George's, Portsea
Lifehouse, Albert Road
NEBC North End Baptist Church
Portsmouth Family Church
Portsmouth Pathway at St Luke's
Salvation Army Lake Road - The Haven
St Cuthbert's, Copnor
St Faith's, Landport
St Francis', Hilsea
St James', Milton
St Jude's, Southsea
St Luke's, Southsea
St Margaret's, Eastney
St Mark's, North End
St Mary's, Fratton (open 9am-12noon each day)
St Michael and All Angels, Paulsgrove
St Nicholas', Copnor
Ss Peter and Paul, Wymering
St Philip's, Cosham
St Saviour's, Stamshaw
St Wilfrid's, Buckland
University Chaplaincy
Libraries (open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm):
Central Library, Guildhall Square
Beddow Library, Milton Park
Cosham Library, Havant Road, Cosham
North End Library, Gladys Avenue, North End
Southsea Library, Palmerston Road precinct
Schools:
Arundel Court Primary School, Northam Street, Landport
Manor Infant School, Inverness Road, Fratton
Newbridge Junior School,New Road, Fratto
