Pupils at Oakham School have donated nearly £1,000 worth of food to Rutland Foodbank following a receipt challenge which will now help provide essentials to families across the county.

The children in the Lower School, aged between 10 and 13, sourced and choose items that would benefit people using the foodbank. These were items such as tinned goods and non-perishables that the pupils bought with the help of their parents.

The students then submitted their items and receipts to a representative of the Rutland Foodbank during the School's 2021 Lower School Family Harvest Service.

Fr Tim Tregunno, Chaplain at Oakham School, led the initiative, reinforcing to both pupils and parents the importance of giving to those in need, as well as the value of sourcing and contributing these items themselves. Hymns were also enjoyed during the service, as well as a scarecrow competition and a vegetable tower building challenge.

Chair of the Rutland Foodbank, Ali Wainwright, said: "The Rutland Foodbank is part of a network of local organisations that support people in Rutland who, for whatever reason, are living in poverty. We are delighted to receive the Harvest donations from the pupils of Oakham School. This is another example of community action to support those in need.

"We asked the pupils to donate some very basic items such as tinned vegetables & fruit, UHT milk and crackers. We hope that donating some very basic items which many of us take for granted will raise the pupil's awareness of what it is like to be short of food.

"All the donations will make a significant difference to our clients. Being able to eat enough will help them cope a little better with the challenges they face."

The Rutland Foodbank is a charity in its own right and is part of The Trussell Trust network, a nationwide support network for food banks across the UK.

This food bank, like many others, provides essential support for the local community, offering nutritionally balanced emergency food and support. They welcome the support that has been shown by these young members of our community, and encourage both donors and those in need to be as forthcoming.

Fr Tim added: "We want to encourage our pupils to experience the value of thoughtful giving and the receipt challenge was a great way for them to go and think about what people might need, rather than just making a financial donation.

"It is fantastic to support Rutland Foodbank again and we appreciate all of the outstanding work they do for the community."

Should anyone wish to approach the food bank themselves, they can be found at 36 Melton Road, Oakham. They accept a variety of donations such as breakfast cereal, soup, pasta, sauces, tinned beans, meat and vegetables, tea and coffee, sugar, biscuits, and snacks, from which they will make up food parcels for those in need.

For anyone looking to donate or for aid, the shelter also cater for dietary requirements such as gluten free, halal, or vegetarian diets. The Rutland Foodbank is open every weekday from 10:00 – 12:00 and their contact number is 07582 783363.