Clothes – There has been a very large response of clothes donations in Leeds. However, all the agencies represented reported that there is a problem of storage space, a need for volunteers to sort these clothes, the fact that many of the clothes donated are inappropriate and a need for transport to collect and distribute clothes that have been donated.
Calais does not need any more clothes; however, some agencies are still collecting clothes and are stockpiling for later.
St Luke’s in Beeston are collecting warm winter clothes, blankets, duvets, maternity packs and baby items for Iraq from 3-14th October
To check about who is collecting clothes check the following website:
https://leedsmultiagency.wordpress.com
Food – Leeds Food Aid Network provides information about meals available for asylum seekers. Email the network with any food related questions or offers of help at:
Collection of non-perishable goods –pasta, rice, coffee, tea, tins of meat, tuna, sardines, beans, chick peas, tins of vegetables and fruit are all welcome. Food items can be donated to PAFRAS at St Aidan’s in Harehills.
Food Donations also need volunteer drivers with vans to collect/ distribute food.
Packs of Toiletries – Age appropriate packs are very necessary. Eg For men include razors, shaving foam; For women include sanitary towels; For children- toothpaste and tooth brushes, shampoo. Donate to PAFRAS at St Aidans
Money –Every agency needs money, some pretty desperately, if they are to cope with current demands and pressures. This is very true for those in Leeds but the international agencies working in the refugee camps also need money in order to help the people in the camps (Red Cross, Medecins sans Frontieres, and other International Aid Organisations such as CAFOD). Donations of money rather than in kind are therefore really important and helpful.
Leeds Refugee Forum run a Hardship Fund which offers a subsistence payment of £25/week for destitute asylum seekers during the winter months. The Forum needs volunteers to sort food for the Hardship Fund.
There was a discussion of having a “Central Pot” for the collection of donations of money for refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds. It was suggested that Leeds Community Foundation might be able to manage this collection. However, some people felt that a central pot might be very difficult to administer for all the different agencies working in Leeds.
[email protected] will collate the views of anyone who wishes to contribute to the above discussion
Businesses – There was another discussion about how to engage business to support a variety of needs eg: Transport, Housing, Finance.