Brixton Village charities Compliments of the House and Re:Sole completed their fundraising fortnight with 150 trainers and enough food to feed 20 vulnerable local people.
The drive, in partnership with Hondo Enterprises, which runs Brixton’s covered Markets on a day-to-day basis, encouraged local residents and workers to donate to those who need it most in the lead-up to Christmas.
Volunteers from both charities were on hand in a Village unit over the two weeks to receive donations including trainers and shoes, long-life food and drink products, and contactless-cash donations.
Re:sole, the Brixton based charity which provides fresh footwear for the homeless and at-risk youth, received 150 pairs of trainers.
Aided by a National Lottery Community Fund grant, Re:sole also used the unit as an opportunity to continue its Soles for Souls initiative, providing new trainers and clothing to young people, families and other charities impacted by the pandemic.
Hondo Enterprises will cover all fit-out costs for the charity’s new unit in the Village, which will open in the new year.
Chris from Re:sole said: “It was a great response over from the public and traders alike with so many pairs of trainers donated and new people engaged daily.
“Having a physical space and seeing the foundations of our services benefitting the community has been a great end to a difficult year.
“We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has donated so far and to Brixton Village for hosting us. See you in the new year!’
Compliments of the House (CoTH), which distributes surplus food to the homeless, received enough donated food products to feed over 20 local vulnerable people.
They contributed to the charity’s wider pre-Christmas food drive, which catered for over 200 people hit by the pandemic.
Hondo Enterprises will fund a mobile kiosk for CoTH, which will operate on a permanent basis in the market.
Sinead Browne, founder of CoTH said: “We build community love. We aren’t just a one-stop-shop for food and other supplies, we’re a place to be emotionally nourished and make new connections.
“Thank you! To every single one of you who has donated so far. Your generosity and kindness is helping us help our community in so many ways.’
Brixton Village invited local resident and artist Mona Wishkahi to create a large-scale graphic illustration for the charity-led shop façade.
An art director and production designer, Mona is known for her neon tape artworks.
