Dorchester Chamber for Business has made a generous donation of £500 to the Dorchester Food Bank to support local families and individuals in need during the festive season. The funds were raised through a raffle at the Chamber’s annual President’s Breakfast earlier this month, an event that celebrated Christmas and the conclusion of another successful and busy business year.
On Friday, 20th December, a cheque for £500 was formally presented to Dr. John Burn, a trustee of the Dorchester Food Bank, marking the culmination of the fundraising efforts. The £448 raised through the raffle was kindly topped up by the Chamber. The raffle featured prizes generously donated by local Chamber members, reflecting the community spirit that defines Chamber members.
The President’s Breakfast, held earlier in December, with 65 attendees is a key event in the Chamber’s calendar, offering members the opportunity to come together, celebrate achievements, and share in the festive cheer. This year’s event was especially poignant, as the business community rallied to provide crucial support for those struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season.
Dorchester Food Bank, which provides emergency food supplies to individuals and families facing hardship, plays a vital role in supporting the local community. The Food Bank assists not only families with children but also pensioners and individuals who need help keeping their cupboards and fridges stocked. As the Christmas period approaches, additional provisions are distributed to ease the strain on parents, offering extra treats and festive items to bring some joy to those facing financial challenges.
On the day of the donation was presented they team had their busiest day of the month with 28 families requiring assistance. One mother was feeding her 4 children and herself on a tin of meatballs and a pensioner had been referred after a social worker found no food in the persons house on a routine visit.
Dr. John Burn, who received the cheque on behalf of the Food Bank, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Chamber and its members.
“We are so grateful for this generous donation,” he said. “The support from the Chamber is invaluable, particularly at this time of year when the demand for food assistance increases. This donation will go a long way in helping us provide vital supplies to those in need over Christmas.”
Chamber President Steve Bulley and Vice-President Steph Addison, who presented the cheque to Dr. John, commented,
“It’s an honour to present this donation to the Dorchester Food Bank. As a Chamber, we are committed to supporting our local community, and we’re proud to be able to contribute to such an important cause. The Christmas period can be especially difficult for families facing financial hardship, and we hope that this contribution helps to ease some of that burden. I’d like to thank all of our members who donated raffle prizes and helped make this fundraising effort a success.”
The donation is a testament to the strong sense of community that exists within Dorchester and the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility. As the year draws to a close, the Chamber looks forward to continuing its support for local causes and contributing to the success and well-being of Dorchester’s businesses and residents in the year ahead.
For details on Dorchester Foodbank see https://dorchesterbc.org.uk/foodbank
With around 100 members any business in Dorset can join Dorchester Chamber from business for £60p/a (no VAT).
