Next Sunday we will be holding our annual appeal. In 2019 with the help of your donations, participation in events and membership of the 200 club, we were able to:

Spend £250 per month on fresh meat, milk and cheese to provide meals at all the properties run by HARP, (5,580 meals were provided in July alone) and collect large amounts of dried foods and clothing and toiletries from participating churches each week to be given to HARP clients.
Give our annual donation of £3,500 for HARP’s transition programmes. This year it is helping to pay for a Mental Health liaison worker, helping clients overcome trauma, learn skills and find work. HARP now houses nearly 200 clients.
Provide £400 to fund the installation of CCTV at a HARP property dealing with very vulnerable clients.
Provide £2,100 to fund a trip to Scotland for clients to work with a rewilding project.
Provide £1,500 to St. Helens Church Westcliff towards the cost of 20 sleeping bags, bag liners, roll mats, pillows, etc. and to replace an oven in order to set up a new night shelter from 6th December.
Purchase £150 worth of underwear for the Night shelters to distribute.
Provide emergency 2 night hotel accommodation for an elderly couple left homeless.
Provide £5,000 to Southend YMCA for their building programme.
Provide Christmas bags of ‘goodies’ to the 40 young people who live at, and are looked after by, Southend YMCA. ( All aged 17-21) and £200 worth of Argos vouchers to be used as rewards or for emergency supplies.

In all, we spent approximately £16,500 on your behalf in 2019. Thank you for your continuing generosity. Jo Ronan, Chairwoman, Serving the Homeless.