This December, Parallax is proud to continue our annual tradition in partnership with local charity St George’s Crypt and once again challenge the idea that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. For the third year in a row we’re throwing on our aprons and cooking up a delicious three-course meal for those who need it most this winter.
As well as volunteering our time in the kitchen, we’ll also need funds to stock up on fresh food, cooking ingredients and useful gifts, such as warm hats, scarfs, socks or gloves. This is where you come in – we literally couldn’t do this without your generous support.
What’s it all about?
St George’s Crypt is just one of several charities based in Leeds for helping people who are homeless or disadvantaged in some way. They believe in offering help in a caring, practical way, hoping it will help transform people’s lives, regardless of their circumstances. Their food and catering arm – Nurture – provides a platform of training and engagement for offenders, service users and anyone who has difficulty moving their lives forward.
Following our own Free Food in the Park event back in the summer of 2016, we went on to join forces with the Crypt that Christmas, helping out in their canteen and serving up trays of piping hot food. Free Food at the Crypt 2016 and 2017 were both a tremendous success – now we’d like to replicate that a third time.
“It’s our third year working with St. George’s Crypt and we’re really looking forward to getting stuck in again! We know how crucial it is to lend our support to local charities – there’s a shared enthusiasm across the Parallax team to get involved and help out.”
– Katie Miles, Office Manager.
Coming together for a great cause
The winter months can be particularly difficult for homeless people in Leeds. There are several excellent charities working across the city who continue to do their best to ensure the most vulnerable people are warm, sheltered and fed. Without the continuous support of people willing to give up their time or money, the amazing work they do simply wouldn’t be possible.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, as of January 2018 the number of homeless people on the streets of Leeds has increased for the second year in a row. These worrying statistics are exactly why more needs to be done to help disadvantaged people, and precisely why we’re trying to set an example.
How can I help?
Whether it be donating tins to a food bank, a one-off donation to a local charity, or buying a rough sleeper a warm drink or bite to eat, there are loads of ways you can make a difference. We’re seeing promising signs people in the community are doing what they can to care for the disadvantaged. That applies to companies too – from medium-sized agencies like ourselves through to larger firms and organisations. Leeds United F.C. are a great example of a business recently supporting a local food bank.
We’re very much looking forward to our third year supporting the Crypt. For any donations, please head on over to our Go Fund Me page or click the donate button below. Whatever you can spare will be a massive help, enabling us to buy ingredients to prepare and cook the three course meal (including a leek and potato soup, a beef stew and a selection of tasty cakes), as well as purchasing winter supplies to hand out during the event.