Isle of Wight charity Pan Together – which exists to support and provide a community hub for the residents of East Newport – has received a grant of £500 from the TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation’s Community Fund programme to support its ongoing efforts to provide vital community support services to vulnerable local residents as the cost of living crisis really begins to bite.
The Community Fund
The Community Fund, which is part of the TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation, focuses on creating life-changing impacts through long-term partnerships to help make a difference where it matters.
The initiative invites associates – employees working for either TK Maxx or Homesense – to apply for a grant on behalf of a local charity that is important to them within the local area.
Charity chosen by TK Maxx staff
The grant was applied for by an associate from TK Maxx’s Newport store who recognised the support the charity has provided not only during the coronavirus emergency but in the aftermath of the pandemic and the onset of this extremely tough financial climate.
Rachel Thomson, Pan Together’s Community Centre Manager, said,
“On behalf of all of the residents we’re supporting in these grim and most challenging times, I want to thank everyone at The TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation for such a generous donation which will really make a difference to many people’s lives.”
“I actually thought about stealing food to feed my kids”
She continued,
“Having identified the growing need in Autumn 2021, our community and anti-poverty support services are (sadly) increasingly essential to local residents. No-one should face going hungry and struggling to cope in these dreadful economic times is too many people’s daily harsh reality.
“One mum has told us, ‘I’ve never asked for help before as I find it extremely embarrassing, but was getting so desperate I actually thought about stealing food to feed my kids’.
“Funding like this is vital so we can continue our on-going work to support the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society.”
Since the Community Fund started in 2015, over £1.5 million has been donated to various local charities across Europe.
Greenless: Charity begins at home
Louise Greenless, President of TJX Europe, comments,
“At TJX Europe, we’re passionate about supporting local communities.
“We’re proud to be able to put the power into our associates’ hands and make a difference where it really matters. Because charity begins at home after all!”
For more back on Pan Together, see News OnTheWight’s archive.
News shared by Rachel on behalf of Pan Toogether. Ed
Image: Some of the goodies donated by TK Maxx to Pan Together at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020, via Harry Walker of St John’s Church, Newport
