Housing Association Thanks Community for Generous Foodbank Donations Worth Over £6,500

A housing association serving communities across North and Mid Wales has expressed heartfelt thanks to residents, staff, partners and contractors who have helped to collect over £6,500 of food for its annual food bank collection, to help families in need this Christmas.

Social homes and affordable housing provider, ClwydAlyn’s annual foodbank collection is now in its sixth year. Organised by staff, in conjunction with suppliers, partners, contractors and residents, the initiative gathers a significant amount of food and essential household items, at a time when many individuals and families are feeling the financial strain.

Donations are collected across ClwydAlyn’s many residential and community schemes and at its head office in St Asaph; with all donations going to local foodbanks across the region.

The Escalating Need for Food Banks

Over the past five years, the cost of food has risen by over a third. Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, anti-poverty charity and community food banks operator Trussell Trust disclosed that it distributed around 172,000 emergency food parcels in Wales, including around 60,000 for children. The charity shared that the number of parcels given out in food banks across Wales has risen by more than 20% since before the pandemic.

Food banks can be a crucial part of life for those struggling to make ends meet; offering emergency food parcels, toiletries and household items as well as signposting to other support networks.

ClwydAlyn recognises the ongoing challenges that many of its residents and members of local communities are experiencing, especially during the colder winter months.

Staff Dedication Benefits Local Communities

The collection was once again organised by Louise Smith-Aldous, Operational Projects Health and Safety Officer at ClwydAlyn.

“People are struggling and it is more apparent now than ever. Thank you to our residents, staff and contractors who have donated to our 2025 food bank collection; their kindness and commitment to help our local communities is invaluable.”

Louise Smith-Aldous

Operational Projects Health and Safety Officer at ClwydAlyn

“Thanks to everyone involved in this year’s food bank collection. We want to reiterate to any of our residents who are struggling, please do reach out to your housing officer. They can organise a food bank referral quickly and confidentially.
“We can also help or signpost to additional support services including money management, benefits advice, or community organisations.
“And huge thanks go to our colleague Louise for organising this collection; it will undoubtedly be helpful to many families across the region.”

Suzanne Mazzone

Executive Director of Resident Services at ClwydAlyn

The food collected was given to 11 foodbanks and community food organisations, including: Abergele Foodbank, Christ Church – Shotton Foodbank, Age Connects – Flint Foodbank, Wrexham Foodbank Depot, Sussex Street Christian Centre – Rhyl Foodbank, Hope Restored Foodbank – Llandudno Foodbank, Holyhead Foodbank – Anglesey, Banc Bwyd – Pwllheli Foodbank, The Community Cupboard – Chirk Foodbank, Festival Church – Prestatyn Foodbank, Denbigh Foodbank.

Colleagues and residents from across ClwydAlyn and many of its residential schemes donated to the collection. Appreciation also goes to the following organisations for generous donations or money to purchase food: