Coronavirus: Portsmouth councillor says community spirit helped keep 'low Covid-19 infection rate’ and hopes support continues for city harvest appeal

That is how Portsmouth City Councillor Steve Pitt feels and he hopes the support continues for Portsmouth’s Citywide Harvest, which was launched yesterday to help those who have been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and those who are in need of support.

Cllr Pitt said: ‘The people in the city have been amazing during the pandemic.

‘Community spirit in Portsmouth is a big reason the city has such a low Covid-19 infection rate. All the organisations and volunteers and the HIVE meant that people in at risk groups could be supported and didn’t have to go out and the way the council worked together with businesses and organisations to ensure safety.

‘I hope that spirit continues because we are not out of the woods yet and we need to be there for families who continue to need help as we move in to winter.’

Schools, churches and libraries across the city will become harvest donation points for tinned and canned goods, pasta, rice and other dried foods.

The items will then be distributed food banks and other charities who would normally be supported at Harvest festivals and surplus items will be stored centrally by the Hive to be given to organisations as need arises.

Cllr Pitt, who helped involve the libraries in the appeal, added: ‘Anyone, who is in a position to donate whatever they can, should know that it means helping out those in need in the city and supporting families that really need help.’

The organisations involved include churches of all denominations in Portsmouth, the Roberts Centre, Portsmouth City Council, HIVE Portsmouth, and The News.

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Donations can be made until October 4 at the following places:

Cathedral Church of St John, Cathedral Church of St Thomas, 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, Somerstown, St Margaret’s, Eastney, St Mark’s, North End, St Mary’s, Fratton (open 9 until 12pm each day), St Michael and All Angels, Paulsgrove, St Nicholas’, Copnor, St Peter and Paul, Wymering, St Philip’s, Cosham, St Saviour’s, Stamshaw, St Wilfrid’s, Buckland and University Chaplaincy

Libraries (open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5pm)

Central Beddow Cosham North End Southsea

Schools

Arundel Court Primary Manor Infant Newbridge

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