Ovenu

Community Essentials foodbank, which has experienced a two fold increase in demand for its emergency food parcels, is appealing for people and businesses in the Solihull and South Birmingham area to help it support a growing number of vulnerable individuals and families in crisis.

Stephen Palmer, who helped found the voluntary organisation, issued the plea after local businessman Elliott Robinson delivered several bags of foodstuffs, donated by his clients, to its centre in Solihull.

Community Essentials, which provides free food parcels to people in financial hardship in Solihull and South Birmingham, is currently distributing up to 125 food parcels every week.

The organisation says it has seen a 100 percent increase in demand for its parcels over the last month which has left it struggling to cope.

Elliott, who runs oven valeting service Ovenu Solihull, has been busy collecting an array of tinned and dried goods along with some fresh produce over the past few weeks after hearing Community Essentials was in need of support.

Using his work van, he took the bags to its Olton base, where volunteers repack the items to create food parcels containing a minimum three days’ worth of meals.

Community Essentials began life as Essentials Delivery in March 2020 when founders Stephen Palmer and Sapphire Poles saw local people struggling to afford toiletries and food. Open five days a week, it does not require referrals.

Stephen said: “We are grateful to Elliott for his support and would appeal to other local people and businesses to help us make a difference by donating foodstuffs or money to help with our running costs.

“We have seen a 100 percent increase in demand for our emergency food parcels over the past month – rising from around 60 up to 125 per week, and I can only see that continuing to increase as more people find themselves needing help.”

Elliott, who has run Ovenu Solihull for the past 15 years, said he was inspired to do something positive for those left struggling by the current cost-of-living crisis.

He added: “I’ve been raising awareness about Community Essentials’ great work among my clients and inviting them to make a food bank donation.

“I’ve been delighted at the response and have collected a wide range of items from tinned tuna to breakfast cereals, cooking sauces, and packs of rice and pasta.

“Everyone appreciates times are tough and that many find themselves in a tight spot through no fault of their own. Community Essentials make a real difference to so many in the area and I’m just pleased to do something to help.”

For further information on Community Essentials, or how to donate, fundraise or volunteer visit https://community-essentials.org.uk/

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF OVENU

For further information contact Andrew Douglas 01325 363436

Photo caption: L-R: Elliott Robinson hands over donated foodstuffs to Stephen Palmer at Community Essentials in Solihull

Editors’ Notes:

The Ovenu process involves dismantling key components such as the door, interior panels, fan, and shelves and placing them in design-registered tank equipment, which uses safe, non-caustic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts. The whole process leaves the oven in a near showroom condition.

As well as Solihull, the business also covers Olton, Dickens Heath, Shirley, Dorridge, Hillfields, Tidbury Green, Chelmsley Wood, Elmdon, Meriden, Balsall Common and surrounding areas.

For a free quote, call Elliott on 0121 7066652, email solihull@ovenu.co.uk or visit www.ovenu.co.uk/oven_cleaning/solihull/

Ovenu is the leading UK and international domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist. All cleaning products used by Ovenu are environmentally friendly, bio-degradable and conform to the latest government REACH regulations. Ovenu’s Carbon Remover is also approved by the Vitreous Enamel Association. The Ovenu valeting process involves dismantling key components of an oven and placing them into design-registered equipment, which uses non-caustic, non-toxic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts. Ovenu is a full member of the Approved Franchise Association (AFA.)