St Paul's Ladies Group

A small local charity, operating out of one room in Bridge Methodist Church, Radcliffe, it provides crisis packs of food and toiletries for people in difficulty or need.

The system swings into action when other organisations, such as hostels, refuges, etc, ask for the boxes. The charity also provides starter hampers which help people moving out of refuges into their own homes. On average 250 boxes per month are distributed in the borough of Bury.

Porch Boxes has been in existence for four years and is run by volunteers. Ms Rowlands said that much-needed supplies are donated by local churches at harvest-time and that this generosity helps them to continue until the spring before needing to buy in more goods. To make up the shortfall the charity tries to obtain grants from various sources.

Ms Rowlands concluded her talk by showing the ladies a typical Porch Boxes pack. She stressed the need to match the contents to the circumstances of the recipient, eg., it is no use giving canned goods to a person who may not possess a tin opener.

Mrs Alma Sanders thanked the speaker for her enlightening talk and for providing such a worthwhile service.

Before the meeting, it was announced that the recent autumn fair had raised a total of £787.47. SL