Hythe Salvation Army has been active in Hythe for around 120 years now, beginning with a member of the famous local fishing family – Wright Griggs – but 2020 was a year like no other.
We caught up with Hythe Salvation Army’s Corps Officer and Church Leader, Captain Callum McKenna, to discuss some of the work they carry out in the local area and how COVID-19 has impacted operations at the Church and Community Centre.
Captain Callum McKenna told us: “COVID has, like for everyone, meant significant changes – especially as most of our work involves gathering lots of people to chat inside. Some of what we do has been adapted for online use including church services and sing-a-longs and story times for toddlers on Zoom, people really make an effort to check up on older people and more vulnerable members of the community.
“Some things, however, simply can’t take place in a virtual world and most notably, this has been the foodbank. The work of the foodbank has skyrocketed in the last 12 months as people from the community have found themselves in precarious financial situations due to COVID and its economic effects and need support, which we’re thrilled to be able to offer.
“Our foodbank supported an average of four households per week before the first lockdown, however these past 12 months have seen that move closer to 20 households and some weeks it can touch 30; many of whom never imagined they’d need to use a foodbank.”
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“Without the Church members who pitch up to the foodbank each week, and those who drive around delivering parcels, the foodbank couldn’t happen.
“They’re a credit to our local community: even at the height of lockdown they were donning PPE and making the journey to serve those who were vulnerable. Similarly, without the support of the wider community with donations there’d be no food to give out.
“At the first week of the lockdown, our stocks were nearly empty and there was nothing on the shelves in the supermarkets even if we wanted to buy it, but the local community went above and beyond.
“Need has skyrocketed, but it’s never been outpaced by the kindness and generosity of our community.”
Food donations can be made at their building on a Wednesday between 10-12 noon, and the foodbank can be accessed at that time too, alternatively, food donations can be made at Sainsbury’s in Hythe.
To find out more check out Hythe Salvation Army on Facebook, Twitter or www.hythesalvationarmy.org.uk.