Gosport community group fundraising for a new van to support food deliveries

Crisis Food Gosport, which has been getting food parcels and gift hampers to the neediest in the town during the coronavirus pandemic, is fundraising for a new van to help with the increased demand for help.

Having hired vans throughout the past year, the group is looking for £8,000 to cover the costs of a new vehicle.

Founder Charlotte Blake said: ‘This van would be a lifeline for us because could do so much more with it.

‘With a car you are limited in how much you can carry at once, but with a van we could pick up more food and do more deliveries as well.

‘The van hire company we have used has been amazing, but to push forward we really need a van of our own as soon as possible – demand is soaring and it’s hard to keep up.’

The £8,000 will cover the cost of purchasing the van, getting insurance, and putting the group’s branding on the side. Volunteers will also be insured on the vehicle.

Ideally, Charlotte would like to get a more mechanically sound van, with a high top and long wheelbase to carry as much food as possible without incurring costs for mechanical problems further down the line.

The need for help in Gosport has skyrocketed since coronavirus measures were tightened after Christmas – with the team delivering almost 100 food parcels each day.

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‘Sadly things are only going to get tougher,’ Charlotte said.

‘There’s no criteria and no judgement, so anyone and everyone can get the help they need.

‘What we’re seeing now is people who thought they were in secure jobs are falling on hard times as well.

‘£8,000 sounds like a lot to raise, but it will go such a long way towards making a difference in the town.’

Food for the parcels is sourced from Fareshare and organisations in the surrounding area.

So far, the group has raised £1,400 for the van.

To donate, people can go to gofundme.com/f/buy-crisis-food-gosport-their-own-van.

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