Oxford care home collects food for community food bank

Residents and staff from five care homes run by The Orders of St John Care Trust gathered donations for the Oxford Community Emergency Food Bank.

The collection was led by Longlands care home, which represented the other care homes at an event at St Frances Church, where they handed over the collected goods.

The other care homes involved included Oxford's Isis House, Thame's Meadowcroft, and Cirencester's Paternoster House, as well as the trust’s care quality team.

Residents and staff donated canned goods, dry foods, and toiletries (Image: OSJCT) Residents and staff donated canned goods, dry foods, and toiletries.

Longlands resident Olga Hammerschmidt, who attended the handover event, said it is "nice giving back to the community," while James Ryne, another Longlands resident, said: "By giving, you plant hope in a world that desperately needs it."

The contributions were gratefully received by the food bank and will be organised into food parcels and given out to those in need.

Longlands home manager, Kelly Marie Allen, said: "Hunger knows no boundaries; neither should compassion.

"This collection, driven by our residents, is inspirational. The act of kindness nourishes not just the body but also the soul."

Longlands head of care, Regina Topali, added: "Sharing what we have transforms our communities into places of care and love, and that is what Longlands is all about."