Volunteers Gift of food to the Needy

Over 200 people helped to get food to the needy over the holiday period through the Gift charity, which promotes a culture of giving and volunteering among the younger community.

The volunteers sorted, packed and distributed the food to more than 1,000 recipients, mainly Jewish families in north-west London.

Gift director Michelle Barnett said that many referrals came through Norwood.

Deliveries are made to a range of Jewish and non-Jewish charities on a regular basis.

Gift receives surplus challot from local bakeries and donations of non-perishable foods such as pasta, tuna and crackers in its Gift boxes in 25 kosher stores.

It has recently teamed up with supermarket distributors, who give the charity over £3,000 worth of surplus fresh vegetables to distribute on a fortnightly basis.
During the holiday period, the charity was given leftover fruit and vegetables from the Limmud conference and a number of youth camps.