Harvest at Wakefield Cathedral: Supporting St Catherine’s Food Pantry

Harvest at Wakefield Cathedral: Supporting St Catherine’s Food Pantry

As we prepare to celebrate Harvest at the Cathedral in the next few weeks, we will be giving thanks for all that we have and thinking particularly about how we can share those gifts with others.

This Harvest, we are once again supporting St Catherine’s Food Pantry at Belle Vue, which provides vital help to people and families across our community.

What happens to our Harvest donations?

St Catherine’s is based at the Belle Vue church on Doncaster Road, where the church building serves its community in many different ways. Alongside worship, its work includes services for older people, meals on wheels and the food pantry.

Food donated to St Catherine’s is sorted by type and expiry date before being added to the pantry. Rather than receiving a pre-selected food parcel, those using the service can choose the food they would like for the week. This approach is intended both to give people greater dignity and to reduce food waste.

The pantry welcomes people facing all kinds of circumstances, including those who have lost jobs or family support, asylum seekers, care leavers and prison leavers, and people who simply cannot make their income stretch far enough to feed themselves or their household. Everyone is offered a warm welcome, with something to drink and usually something to eat while they wait.

What should I bring this Harvest?

St Catherine’s can make use of most food donations, but some everyday items are particularly helpful.

These include cereal and UHT milk, tomato ketchup, tinned meat, meatballs and bolognese, sardines and pilchards. Toiletries such as soap, shampoo and shower gel are also always needed, together with nappies in all sizes.

Easy-to-prepare foods are especially valuable for emergency food bags, including items that need little more than a kettle to prepare. And there is room for a little comfort too: biscuits can be particularly welcome when someone is going through a difficult time.

More than food

Importantly, the work of St Catherine’s goes far beyond providing something to eat.

People visiting the pantry can receive advice and be connected with services that can make a longer-term difference, including Citizens Advice, GPs, counselling and housing support. Sometimes what someone needs most is simply the opportunity to talk and know that somebody cares about what they are going through.

St Catherine’s also hosts community activities offering friendship, support and a sense of belonging, with opportunities ranging from craft and wellbeing groups to activities for families and older people.

Thank you for your generosity

Harvest is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for God’s goodness and to put that thanksgiving into action.

A bag of pasta, a tin of food or another simple donation might not seem like much on its own. At St Catherine’s, however, it can help tackle hunger while opening the door to friendship, practical assistance and wider support for someone in our community who needs it.

If you are joining us for Harvest at Wakefield Cathedral on Sunday 4th August, please bring a donation if you are able.

Thank you for helping us share the gifts of Harvest with our neighbours across Wakefield.