Festival food boosts charity move

From Reading Festival to food parcels - the Salvation Army has been making Christmas boxes for the needy, with the help of music lovers.

Organisers of the world-famous music event have teamed up with the charity in a food drive that also cuts waste.

Revellers at the festival donated more than a tonne of unwanted food.

"It was incredible. We've never done this before," Melvin Benn, of Festival Republic said, when he visited volunteers as they packed presents.

"It was entirely about reducing waste and we collected over a tonne of non-perishable food, which otherwise would have gone into land fill.

Volunteers look at the donated produce with Melvin

In Pictures

"It's fantastic that we have all this food now, being added to people's Christmas."

Melvin was on hand to see how the food was being packaged at Reading Central Corps, Anstey Road, on Monday.

"It's surprising how vital it is to people, and the Salvation Army have worked with various community groups as well as the social services and identified quite a large number of needy families and individuals.

"It's important, as regardless of who you are or what you do, it is about giving back.

"If you're doing relatively well in any aspect of society, I do think in a good society like Britain is, there is a responsibility to try and give things back.

"We felt it was the perfect thing to sit in with really, partly because of the Salvation Army's long standing relationship with Reading Festival."

The festival haul reduced The Salvation Army's total bill for the drive from £12,000 to £7,500, providing 600 food parcels.

What's in the family parcel?

• 1 tin tomato soup
• 1 tin other soup
• 2 tins garden peas
• 2 tins sliced carrots
• 2 tins baked beans
• 1 tin tomatoes
• 1 tin spaghetti
• 1 tin corned beef
• 1 tin tuna
• 1 tin of meatballs
• 1 packet custard
• 1 tin rice pudding
• 2 tins fruit cocktail
• 1 packet tea bags
• 1 packet mince pies
• 1 packet biscuits
• 1 Christmas pudding
• Box of chocolates

This money comes from donations made to The Salvation Army at events such as The Broad Street carol concerts they hold.

The Salvation Army has been involved in every Reading Festival, except one, since it moved to Reading in 1971.

Ruth Johnson co-ordinated the project and said there was definitely a need in Reading.

"From the reaction of the social workers who send us requests for the parcels, we've been asked for 20% more - with the recession and people out of work.

"We've had some very good strong volunteers - some younger men from Festival Republic - who have been able to help with the parcels. By the time they are filled, they are quite heavy.

"It's a major contribution which young people are making, its not left to the people who think about it, but younger people are coming more conscious."

Stuart Scott from the organisation said: "Festival Republic has been very green-minded and are doing a lot of good in that area.

"We had no idea what we were going to get. It's a great thing, we got far more than we expected - we got 1,600 tins which are going to be used in the food parcels.

"This year was a bit suck it and see, and we've learnt a lot of lessons and made a lot of notes for next year so we can make it even better. I believe there is still a lot we can get out there."

A vegetarian parcel

• 1 tin peas
• 1 tin kidney beans
• 1 tin spaghetti
• 1 tin rice pudding
• 1 tin tomatoes
• 1 packet custard
• 1 tin baked beans
• 1 tin tomato soup
• 1 packet biscuits
• 1 packet teabags
• 1 packet mince pies

Contributions have also been made by local schools and about 30 volunteers were on hand to package the boxes, which contained anything from basics such as teabags, to Christmas puddings.

"These parcels wouldn't go out without all the volunteers here," volunteer Elizabeth Gash said.

"We have a lot of poorer people in our society - the poverty is quite marked and where as we think a cup of tea is usual, and may have 10 a day, some might not have many.

"We try to make it a bit more Christmassy - we do mince pies and special biscuits and a bit of chocolate.

"It's the basic things people haven't got and in a sense many people like the basic food to start with and just add to that to make it more Christmassy."

Another volunteer, Angela Bell, said: "There are people who really do want to help. If you look, there are people who really believe in their community.

"We never know when we might fall on bad luck - a chain of events, you lose your job, and all of a sudden you find yourself in the same place.

"It's nice to know that should you fall, there is a network of people wanting, or able to help you. Supporting you at a time when you do need a community cuddle."

Nicky Hodgson from Festival Republic drafted in her 10-year-old son Ollie to help. She said: "He's becoming aware of the world and with Christmas it's all about parties and writing lists for Santa.

"I just thought it would be good for him to come here to have a look and be doing something to help other people less fortunate than himself. I just thought it would open his eyes a bit and see what Christmas really is all about."

Ollie said: "It's been really exciting. It's just how you feel when you get a good present at Christmas and it would be great to give other people those feelings."

Reading Festival 2009
Salvation Army
eFestivals - guide to festivals
Strictly Reading