ABCD

ALONE Behind Closed Doors 2018

In the past 3 years, I have seen what started off as a simple idea, slowly turn into a soon to be registered charity, and I for one am excited about the work and many lives that ABCD have and will continue to touch and feed.

This year as well as crowdfunding, we also received a donation from a London based Privacy Equity firm and food donations from Aldi Supermarkets. This enabled us to raise funds in excess of our £1500 target. This also meant we were able to provide FULLY LOADED HAMPERS to all, given the fact many families housed on average 3-4 children.

Thank you Aldi

Loading Up At Aldi’s

So Much To Choose From

Lot’s Of Fresh Produce

We fed a total of 30 families, just under 100 people with food and snacks for up to 3-4 days. In many cases, there were children aged 2-16 in most households. Nominees came in from various sectors, including schools, churches and social services. In a few cases, it was wonderful to hear from people who saw the video and felt confident enough to nominate themselves, something we welcome as often people can feel a little uneasy when it comes to accepting a charitable gift, which is sad but has occurred on a couple of occasions since we started the program back in 2016

The aim of ABCD is to provide personalised food hampers tailored made to the family or individuals dietary need and ethnic background, something unique that makes the gift that extra special when your circumstances play heavily on your mental health causing you to feel overwhelmed with the added concern of providing for other family members, such as young children. I feel this added touch is important as people eat different things around the festive season, so receiving something that looks familiar to them helps raise the mood and also ensures they are appropriately taken care of. This year our ethnic backgrounds consisted of Portuguese, English, Caribbean, American, Irish and more, while the areas delivered to included Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Hampshire, West, North, East and South London.

Food Glorious Food!

Grilled Sea Bream

Halal Roast Chicken

Halal Roast Lamb Steaks

Each hamper was loaded with a selection of whole meats joints and fish of the families choice, such as Turkey, Chicken, Lamb, Salmon, Sea Bream, and Oxtail to name a few. As well as sides such as rice, macaroni cheese, fresh vegetables, potatoes, fresh fruit, homemade soups, homemade bread, cheese boards, homemade cakes, mince pies, apple pies, crumble, custard, ice cream, cream, specific drinks of choice, snacks such as chocolates, crisps, biscuits and more. And where possible a gift for the children was also provided.

Shopping commenced in the early hours of Saturday 22nd December, and I can report to spending over 6 hours in Sainsbury’s alone. All I can say is it was quiet when I entered and bursting at the seams when I left. I lost count of the number of turkeys and chickens I picked up and I don’t even eat meat!! And let’s not talk about the looks I was getting as I pushed numerous trollies around the store. Note to self, *Next time don’t send your volunteers to one store while you go to another, take extra help with you!!!!

Meat Galore!

Meat Ready For The Oven

Each year we learn as we go and this year we gave families the option of having their food delivered cooked, or receiving it raw, which meant they could enjoy the smell of a wonderful roast, cooking in the oven, of which many of them opted for.

We cannot underestimate the value of ABCD and what it means to those we cater for. For me it is about fulfilling a need, for them it is everything. Millions of people are affected by mental health every year, with the numbers increasing during the Christmas seasons. Having been one of those persons who for years suffered in silence behind closed doors, unable to embrace the festivities for many reasons, the last thing I wanted to do was cook, when getting out of bed itself took up most of my energy. Often it is not just those affected by mental health that requires our help, but also those who are truly struggling and have little or no means to provide for their children or themselves, this too can cause tempory mental health, which left untreated can bloom into full clinical depression. It is our aim to help eliminate this and reduce the feelings of hopelessness and in some cases suicide tendencies through the work we do in the community.

Feedback & Comments 

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you so much for the food gift!! We really appreciate your kindness, and efforts to make today a special day”

“Everything was wonderful and lovely, many thanks for me and the kids”

“Good morning, thank you so much for my hamper, I am so grateful. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too”

Among the emails and text messages, there call, many in tears as recipients received their hampers early Christmas morning.

Thank you!

I could not end this post without saying a HUGE thank you to all who volunteered their time and gave up sleep to pack the hampers throughout the night. Those who helped cook, wrap presents and go shopping. To the admin staff who made calls, worked out the delivery routes and schedule, helped with the planning, you were amazing. To the drivers who left your warm bed to brace the winter cold, and the main man Bill, on his motorbike!! Special thanks to The People Christian Fellowship for allowing us to cook and pack from their premises located in the heart of Tottenham, north London. To all of you who donated, Thank you!

One of the things I love the most is when those we have fed in the past turn around and give back into the program. This year one family, in particular, made it their duty to not only donate, but also help with deliveries after being touched by the hamper they received the year before. I am in awe, and believe this is just the start of something wonderful that will impact the many who are fortunate to receive an ABCD Food Hamper.

Going forward our aim is to not just provide for others at Christmas, but throughout the year also, with food, cleaning, complimentary birthday cakes for the children and more.

For now, I just want to thank all of you who helped save and change a life over the festive season and hope you will join us later in the year for our first fundraising event.

Jemma