Fair Frome would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended their launch event on the 22nd July.
Over 200 people turned up at the evening, bringing donations and pledging their support.
The event officially launched the Fair Frome Food Bank as well as raising awareness of all the projects that Fair Frome are delivering, including Community Dining, The Washing Project and the Kitchen Utensil Project.
During the evening, guests heard from Peter MacFadyen, the Mayor of Frome, who has chosen Fair Frome as one of his charities of the year, Bob Ashford, Chair of Trustees, and Kate Hellard, business manager for Fair Frome.
Peter MacFadyen, in his speech said, “We shouldn’t be here, this is a rich country and a rich town, so it is shocking that we need Fair Frome, but we clearly do. I am proud of the fact that the initial Frome Town Council meeting has led us to the establishment of this charity, this launch event, (some) funding, and projects being delivered in such a short time.”
Throughout the evening, Griff and Nikki played live music at the Silk Mill venue, and guests enjoyed food and drink and a raffle with prizes donated from the community.
Fair Frome were sponsored £1 for every £1 raised up to a value of £1,000 from Barclays Bank and reached a staggering total of £2,200 raised throughout the evening. Chrissy Bright from Barclays said, “Barclays are proud to be supporting Fair Frome to directly impact on the lives of people in Frome and the surrounding area, and are hoping to get more involved with the organisation in the future.”
Fair Frome were also successful in collecting half a tonne of dried and canned food to kick start building their surplus requirement of three tonnes of food before they start Food Bank operations in October. One couple who were on holiday from Newcastle in Frome were unable to stay for the whole event, but wanted to show their support so donated two carrier bags worth of food donations.
But the organisers said, “It can’t stop here, Fair Frome still need the support of the local community; please help by donating food items at Asda and Sainsbury’s, or direct to Fair Frome at 5 Palmer Street, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am-12.00pm. The Co-ops at Culverhill and Westway, Frome Wholefoods, and Tesco Express will also have food bank collection boxes from early August.”
For more information about Fair Frome, please contact info@fairfrome.org of find us on Facebook/Fair-Frome.