News YMCA food plea as supplies run dry
Staff at the Goole's YMCA are hoping this year's harvest festival season will yield desperately needed supplies for young people.
The Edinburgh Street centre offers accommodation to young people between 16 and 24 years old and provides them with a safe place to stay.
Maggie Swann, housing manager, said: "Some of our young people come from backgrounds where they've literally just been thrown out.
"We have historically always been able to give these young people some food until their benefits or income have been processed.
"Unfortunately, due to an increase in referrals and circumstances, we are completely out of food to offer."
Dry food, such as tins and pasta, are all needed, along with basic toiletries such as toothpaste and deodorant.
Last year, Riverside School donated their harvest festival parcels and other members of the community gave supplies, all of which were gratefully received.
Now, staff are hoping that individuals, schools and businesses might spare them a thought during harvest time.
The situation is particularly urgent as the centre has just started to offer emergency accommodation to young people - a room which offers safety and security - often to frightened young people - until permanent accommodation can be found, either in the YMCA or elsewhere.
"If we weren't here, they'd be sleeping on the streets," said Maggie. "God knows what would happen to them then."
Members of the public are welcome to look round the centre to see how the provisions are being used.
Goole YMCA can be contacted on 01405 780578.
Published on 6th September 2007 in News.
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