102 Touch FM helps to feed children in need

102 Touch FM has supported struggling families and children in need with a week-long campaign.

Stratford Foodbank is currently giving out 117 emergency food parcels to children every month, and over the school holidays there are serious concerns that kids will go hungry because their parents can’t rely on them having free meals at school.

Touch FM’s #StockUpForStratford campaign raised awareness that this is a problem in the Stratford area.

During the week beginning Monday 22nd July, the station featured interviews on air, on its website and on social media with the different services available to help – with the project culminating in a big collection at the town’s Tesco.

1,306 kilograms of food items were donated to the Stratford Foodbank – which is enough to feed those 117 children for six weeks.

There were also 536 items of school uniform donated to the town’s uniform bank which supports families struggling to afford to kit out their children ahead of the new term.

And finally five shopping trolley-loads of nappies, wipes and clothing were donated to the Stratford baby Bank – another service Touch FM featured.

Touch FM’s News Editor Lindsey Alder organised the campaign and said: “I was so shocked when I had the conversation with the Foodbank about the number of children they were helping – a 53% increase on last year. It wasn’t something I’d ever considered to be happening in the Stratford area.

“I’m so proud of the results of our Stock Up For Stratford campaign – our listeners were extremely generous and smashed my original target of enough food for 4 weeks of parcels before 9am!

“To be able to support the uniform bank and baby bank as well was an added bonus. Thank you to everyone who supported Touch FM’s campaign.”

Stratford Foodbank’s Trustees said: “The work Touch FM have done has really given the Foodbank, and more importantly our clients, a voice. The radio and social media coverage has been incredible. At a time of year when donations can be lower, it has been great to have this added awareness.”

Stratford Upon Avon Uniform Bank said: “Stratford community you’re truly amazing. Thank you to Touch FM and the lovely Lindsey for all your support and hard work this week – it means so much to us and all the organisations involved. Once again feeling overwhelmed by the kindness in this town.”

Julie Jones from Stratford’s Little Bird Baby Bank said: “We have supported 20 families in the past 2 weeks and having the supplies at hand to gift on has been a massive help. Thank you so much to Touch FM.”