Mary’s Child is a registered charity that was created to love, care and support families and individuals in need, by providing practical support, pastoral care and signposting to other charities and agencies as needed.
Based in Kent and Peterborough, Mary’s Child was founded in 2017 by Rev Carol Avery, out of seeing a need in the area of Greenhithe, Stone and East Dartford and its partners are St Mary, Greenhithe, St Mary, Stone and St Albans, Dartford.
Speaking to CommunityAd about how operations have changed over the past year, Marion Lane, a co-ordinator from Mary’s Child told us: “In normal circumstances we have been able to deliver basic furniture including beds, tables and chairs etc but unfortunately, we have not been able to collect or deliver furniture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“However, we have been able to deliver smaller household items that can be left on the doorstep and we are still busy organising food parcels. Most of our referrals come from schools, local councils, Porchlight and Early Years; these families may or may not be in receipt of benefits but are finding their income is not covering their needs, whether they have been furloughed or generally have a very low income.
“We made up 140 food parcels at Christmas time and delivered to three local schools, which were then allocated to families in most need. We were also able to give Christmas presents to our regular families, some of which would not have had any presents otherwise.
“We are thankful to be blessed with very generous donations from various organisations including Dartford Borough Council, Asda Foundation, Kent Community Foundation, Dartford, and Northfleet and Ebbsfleet Lions and numerous local individuals.
“Our stock is continually replenished from the Greenhithe ASDA foodbank trolley on a monthly rota with Swanscombe Food Cellar and the Dartford Food Bank as well as from members of the community.
“We continue to regularly support, on a weekly or fortnightly basis, approximately 100 households in the Greenhithe, Stone and East Dartford area.
“We are able to offer legal advice and advocacy on housing and benefits on occasion. Which in turn will mean families have sufficient income that they no longer need our support.
“We are extremely grateful for our loyal volunteers who organise and deliver food parcels, without them we could not provide this service. We also thank everyone who is and has been involved in giving donations.
“Mary’s Child offers God’s light, love and hope to those in need.”