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Feed 335 families each week at the Second Helping in Coventry

The the Second Helping pantry in Coventry is running low just as demand rises; $3,100 will stock it for 11 weeks.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง Coventry, England, United Kingdom2,381 views
Matthew B. Henderson
Email verified
Coventry
Since 2019, our volunteer team has run the Second Helping every Friday from the back of a school canteen. We started with 9 families, and now we feed 335 each week. Donations have dropped by about 42% this school holidays, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 9 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Coventry market and keep every receipt. Each $35 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $3,100 goes: โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,700 โ€ข Fresh vegetables and fruit: $650 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $530 โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $220 Thank you for reading my story. - Matthew

Updates from Matthew

  1. Wanted to say thank you properly. 20% funded and I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts.

  • Tomoya Riku Okamoto ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ยท $200

    โ€œMy colleague told me about this one. - Kobeโ€

  • Emiliano C. Vargas ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $100

    โ€œGood luck. Thought of Matthew all day after reading this. - San Sebastiรกnโ€

  • Konstantina Antoniou ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $100
  • Elijah Merritt ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $77
  • Kato Kipchoge Mwakyusa ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $75

    โ€œTake care of yourselves. My sister told me about this one. - Entebbeโ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $75

    โ€œWishing you the best. Hope the December deadline works out. - Madridโ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $75
  • Valentina P. Brewer ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $75
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $73.50

    โ€œPraying for you. Hope the December deadline works out. - ร‡ankayaโ€

  • Olivia M. Espinoza ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $71
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $63.50
  • Okta Maya Salim ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $50
  • Rose Lucy Mussa ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ ยท $50
  • Parvati Subedi ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ต ยท $50
  • Ellie Whitfield ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $50

    โ€œWish I could do more. From Belfast with love. - Belfastโ€

  • Hiba Manal Said ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $50
  • Aishwarya C. Gowda ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $50
  • Sabbir Faruk Das ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $30
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด ยท $25
  • Wawan Teguh Hakim ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $25

Reviews

3.5(8 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Walker T. Schultz๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Arjun D. Mishra๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Really cared about my situation

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Qasim Waqas Ali๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified donor
    Quick response, great follow-up

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Joshua H. Martinez๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Professional and kind

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Anyango Anyango Ssemwogerere๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified donor
    Truly grateful for the support

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Brielle R. Chapman๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Genuine person with a big heart

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Prakash N. Patel๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Would recommend to anyone

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Annabelle N. Santos๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Changed my perspective

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

Questions & comments

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  • Zara Iqra HanifID verified

    wishing you peace. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Blessings.

    • Hope it all works out, Matthew. More neighborhoods should do this

      • Hang in there. This could happen to any of us. Greetings from San Jose.

        • rooting for you, Matthew. Great idea, hope you get there. All the best

          • Hope you get there. We're a small family in Cox's Bazar but we're thinking of you.

            $1,941.50 raised of $3,100

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