This year the festival is supporting two local charities, which are very close to our hearts, the St Catherine of Siena Church Preservation Trust and Chichester District Foodbank.
Chichester District Foodbank
provides emergency food supplies and partners with local agencies to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity, helping people move toward long-term stability. Our mission relies on the generosity of food and financial donations, as well as the dedication of our volunteers. Community support is essential to ensuring we can continue making a meaningful difference.
Each emergency food parcel contains non-perishable essentials like cereal, tinned fruit and vegetables, canned meat and fish, tea, coffee, biscuits, UHT milk, pasta and rice. We also supply hygiene products, baby food, nappies, and pet food. Last year, we distributed over 6,000 emergency food parcels, with around one-third going to children. To combat holiday hunger, we pack around 1,000 Kids Lunch Packs before each school holiday for families who rely on free school meals during term-time.
Beyond food, we connect people to services that help reduce future reliance on the food bank. This includes referrals for support with issues like debt, health, housing, and assistance for carers and parents, as well as direct help from our Citizens Advice Worker. We also offer peer support through our weekly Stand Stronger Together group in Chichester.
With continued community support, we aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of those facing crisis.
To find out more about Chichester District Foodbank and how you can help support us, please visit our website: https://chichesterdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
The St Catherine of Siena Church Preservation Trust
was founded in 2024 to maintain and enhance the building of Cocking Parish Church, first built in the 11th century (probably to replace a previous Saxon church, though some argue that there has been a worshipping community on the site since the 7th century) and then dedicated to St Catherine of Siena in 2007. It is still a functioning parish church today, with a beautiful open churchyard.
While the Parochial Church Council and the St Catherine’s congregation are responsible for the work of the church, and keep it open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; the Preservation Trust cares for its building and churchyard, ensuring that they will be available to all in perpetuity.
