Christmas is a time for togetherness, for enjoying great food, cosying-up and giving gifts. But, for some, it is a time of loneliness, of despair, and without enough money for food, gifts, or a roof over their heads.
That’s why new Isle of Wight business, Wight Christmas Trees, is supporting The Pop-Up Soup Kitchen this year.
£5 from each tree and candle helping the homeless
Wight Christmas Trees offers premium, British grown trees and accessories, including an exclusive festive candle specially crafted by local makers, Duxmore Botanics – with £5 from each tree and candle sold going directly to support homeless and vulnerable people on the Island.
We spoke to Frank Morey, of Wight Christmas Trees and Trevor Blaney, of The Pop-Up Soup Kitchen to learn more.
What does the Pop-Up Soup Kitchen do?
The Pop-Up Soup Kitchen (PUSK) started out by using food waste to provide hot meals for the homeless. Several years on and PUSK now also provides outreach services, respite, as well as food parcels for those in need.
Trevor told us,
“Many of the people who we help aren’t homeless, they’ve simply fallen on tough times.”
How did the idea for Christmas trees come about?
Frank explains how the idea of the collaboration came about. He said,
“Trevor and I were discussing how people really want to help others at Christmas, as it is a time of goodwill.
“I was setting up Wight Christmas Trees, and it just made sense to work together to raise important funds and awareness of The Pop-Up Soup Kitchen.”
How will the money raised help The Pop-Up Soup Kitchen?
With the focus of their provision now on the new catering trailer, Trevor explained how the money will be used. He said,
“The funds raised will be used towards a catering trailer so we can reach even more people.
“We rely entirely on donations, so every penny really does make a difference.”
What else can our readers do to show their support?
If you’re wondering what else you can do to help the homeless on the Isle of Wight this winter, Trevor has this advice,
“If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it’s that a few kind words can be enough to lift someone’s spirits.
“If you know someone is struggling, engage with them, listen to them, offer them a coffee – sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that have the biggest impact.
“If you can give money – it’s genuinely better to give to a charity or organisation – they’ll make sure that it reaches those that need it most.”
Where and when
Wight Christmas Trees is open daily from 27th November.
You’ll find then at Staplehurst Grange (by the former Lavender Farm), Staplers Road, PO30 2LU.
Follow Wight Christmas Trees on Instagram @wightchristmas or Facebook @wightchristmastrees for more information and updates.
Our thanks to Wight Christmas Trees for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
Image: Tessa Rampersad under CC BY 2.0
