It is a year since Hinckley RFC and Hinckley Area Foodbank announced a new partnership to help collect much needed food supplies to satisfy the growing demand from local families struggling to make ends meet. A collection point was installed in the Clubhouse and the Club agreed to donate any surplus bread or other perishable foodstuffs when they became available. At the time, both Hinckley RFC Chair, John Tilley, and Colin Figures (chair of trustees for the Food Bank) welcomed the initiative and looked forward to developing a close working relationship.

In the first year of the partnership, the Club has donated over half a tonne of non-perishable food and in excess of 2,000 bread rolls to the Foodbank. A collection tin located on the Clubhouse bar area also yielded over £60 in cash.

‘This is good news for the Foodbank,’ commented Figures. ‘Demand for the help that the Foodbank provides for struggling families continues to grow and the Rugby Club initiative is a great example of how we have been able to widen our network of support beyond our traditional base to help satisfy that need.’

The Hinckley Area Foodbank is part of the Trussel Trust which supports more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis. Between April 2018 and March 2019, Trussel Trust food banks provided a record 1.6 million food supplies to people in crisis, a 19% increase on the previous year.

‘We are a community Club,’ stated Tilley, ‘and it is great to be able to help those members of our community who find themselves in difficulty. Long may it continue.’

The Club kicks off the League season on Saturday when they entertain Caldy. The collection point is always open for donations and and it is hoped those attending might get the season off to a flying start by bringing along an item or two. Any donations are welcome but the Foodbank is particularly in need of packet soups, dried milk, instant mash, and tinned snacks.

For further details about Hinckley Area Food Bank see the project website at www.hinckleyarea.foodbank.org.uk, contact the Project Manager on 01455 657390, or email info@hinckleyarea.foodbank.org.uk

Nick Robinson