A popular grassroots community project in Beeston is appealing to the wider public for their unwanted … anything! (Nearly.) The volunteer-led project – which runs out of the Salvation Army centre on Hunslet Hall Road – is in need of a wide range of items, to enable them to continue and develop their work supporting local people in need.
The team (including their predecessors) have been quietly working away in the neighbourhood for over 35 years: for much of that time, their work centred around their charity shop in the old arcade of shops next to Pennington Court. They still run a charity shop, nowadays out of the church building itself (every Monday to Thursday 9:30am-1pm), but have also evolved over the past two years of the pandemic, supporting hundreds of local households in need. They anticipate other members of the Salvation Army will restart the weekly friendship lunch clubs this spring.
The following donations are especially useful (but they are open to offers of other items): non-perishable food (especially jars of sauces, jams and spreads, breakfast cereals, long life milk, and hot drink stuffs and juices), toiletries, clothing, household goods (except not large items like white goods), toys, and unwanted Christmas gifts. Cash donations are also welcome. Donations can be dropped off at their charity shop, any Monday to Thursday.
Suzanne Humphrey, a local resident who helps coordinate their work, commented:
“The Salvation Army is a Beeston institution, and we’re especially proud that the charity shop is accessed by and run by such a wide range of local people: it’s for everyone. And we’re saving things from landfill, passing them to others who need them: recycling at its best. For the wider work we now do, I simply saw the huge and growing need, and thought: that’s something I can do. But we do need support to get going – if anyone can help, we’d love to hear from you.”
The Salvation Army (West Hunslet) is on Hunslet Hall Road (LS11 6QB), opposite Pennington Court residential home. They can be reached on (0113) 242 3709 (ask for Suzanne or Vanessa), or drop in any Monday to Thursday.
