On this day in 2020, the Miners Lamb Community Cafe and Hub in Prudhoe took significant steps to support vulnerable individuals and families during the coronavirus crisis.
The local charity, which had recently closed its food bank, remained committed to serving the community by providing emergency care packages.
In a desperate plea for monetary donations, the organisation highlighted the challenges it faced as food parcels dwindled and the demand for essentials surged.
A statement from the cafe noted: "Unfortunately, we’ve felt the effect of panic buying and stockpiling, we’ve found it impossible to replenish stock for our food bank.
"If you feel you can donate a few pounds to help us buy items, please do.
"It makes every bit of difference."
A fundraising page established the previous week had garnered nearly £1,000 in donations, which would be used to purchase food and hygiene products for those experiencing financial hardship.
Trustee Russ Greig expressed the profound impact of the crisis on the cafe, stating: "My life’s changed completely.
"Normally our quiet community cafe and hub just ticks along nicely, but our cafe has now closed and donations to our food bank have dried up completely, as have donations from supermarkets.
"We’re now fund-raising to go out and buy food for people.
"And I will be delivering these parcels to people who never normally would need a food bank."
Hayley Dickinson, who managed the financial donations, remarked on the collective impact of the crisis, saying: "We are all affected by this and, for the majority of us, it is in the same way, financially.
"Due to health, Russ has been forced to close the cafe, but continues to work the local community.
"He’s doing an amazing thing."
Additionally, the West Northumberland Foodbank had also closed its doors but pledged to continue providing essential voluntary services for those in need wherever possible.
This article was first published in the Hexham Courant on March 27, 2020.
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