Published: Friday, 4 December 2020

Oxford City Council has set up a donations scheme so the public can easily donate food, essential items and Christmas treats to charities helping Oxford’s most vulnerable communities.

The scheme is part of the Council’s effort to help those most affected by the Covid-19 restrictions and challenging winter months by providing donation points and managing the distribution to charities.  It will support the entire food network across Oxford and remain ongoing until further notice, as demand remains high and is likely to increase over the winter period.

Making a donation

Donation items sought include ambient and long life food - products that require refrigeration cannot be accepted.  The team are also asking for baby items, including formula, food pouches, and nappies, as well as sanitary and personal care products (excluding any sharp objects).  They will also be appealing for Christmas treats such as crackers, selection boxes and new toys (not second hand) to support children and families over the festive period.

Donations collected by the Council will be distributed to the following organisations:

  • Oxford Mutual Aid
  • The Gatehouse
  • Rose Hill Community Larder
  • Rose Hill Community Cupboard
  • Botley Community Larder
  • Cutteslowe Community Larder
  • Iraqi Women Art & War
  • SYRCOX
  • West Oxford Community Centre

Collection points

Donation collection points are located at:

  • Rose Hill Community Centre, Carole’s Way, Oxford OX4 4HF
  • Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Blackbird Leys Road, Oxford OX4 6HW
  • East Oxford Community Centre, 44 Princes St, Cowley, Oxford OX4 1DD
  • Cutteslowe Park Pavilion, Elsfield Way, Oxford OX2 8NP
  • Barton Neighbourhood Centre, Underhill Circus, Headington, Oxford OX3 9LS
  • West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Rd, Oxford OX2 0BT

More centres are expected to open over the weeks ahead.

Food and other items can be delivered to clearly signed collection points located outside the entrance of each of the buildings.  These will be open for donations during staffed hours.

Oxford Direct Services are working in partnership with the Council’s Communities Team to ensure that collection bins are kept sanitised to adhere to safety measures in line with government guidelines.  

With the ongoing restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s so important that we continue to support those who need community assistance.  In what has already been a challenging year, winter poses extra challenges for us.

We have seen unprecedented levels of care and neighbourliness as a result of this crisis.  Food, essential items and Christmas donations will support the hard work of staff and volunteers at the locality hubs in ensuring that vulnerable and isolated community members are kept safe, well and connected during this difficult period.  I would encourage everyone who can to please donate items as this really can make all the difference.

Councillor Marie Tidball, Cabinet Member for Supporting Local Communities

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