Rutland Foodbank has received a donation of nearly £1,000 worth of food from pupils at Oakham School following a receipt challenge at their Harvest Festival which will now help provide essentials to families across the county.
Lower School children from Ancaster, Sargants, Peterborough and Lincoln House were tasked with sourcing and choosing tinned goods and non-perishable items that would benefit people using the foodbank. They then shared their items and receipts during the 2021 Lower School Family Harvest Service.
The service was led by Fr Tim Tregunno, Chaplain at Oakham School, who reinforced to pupils and parents the importance of giving to those in need and the value of sourcing and contributing these items themselves.
Hymns were enjoyed during the service, as well as an interhouse scarecrow competition, with the prize for the best scarecrow going to Ancaster House, and a vegetable tower building challenge.
Ali Wainwright, Chair of the Rutland Foodbank, 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 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.”
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.”
Find out more about Rutland Foodbank and Charity Fundraising at Oakham School.
