September 2025

Nourishing Hope, One Gift at a Time

Harvest is a season of giving and sharing, a time when communities come together to care for one another. At Turning Tides, this spirit of generosity is at the heart of our work. Every tin, every packet, every thoughtful donation we receive goes directly to the people who need it most: those experiencing homelessness across West Sussex.

Our food donations go straight to our Community Hubs, where they make a real and immediate difference. They provide hot breakfasts and food parcels for people facing the hardship of homelessness, provide breakfast, lunch or dinner in our high and low support housing and help clients moving into their own rented accommodation start their new chapter with dignity. For many of our clients, these meals are a lifeline, the difference between going hungry or staying nourished and healthy.

It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference. Pot noodles and “just add hot water” meals are a lifeline for some of our clients. Many people in temporary accommodation only have access to a kettle, so these meals mean they can still have something warm and filling. Some kind local cafés even provide hot water free of charge, allowing those sleeping rough to prepare a hot meal when they might otherwise go without.

We also ask for tinned items with ring-pull lids, as these are also vital for homeless and people in temporary accommodation who don’t have access to a tin opener. A can of tuna or baked beans, or even macaroni cheese in a tin, can provide much-needed protein and nutrition.

 

The reality is stark

Research shows that people experiencing homelessness in England are far more likely to suffer poor health due to malnutrition, limited access to fresh food, and long periods of going without meals. Something as simple as regular access to food can improve not only physical health but also resilience, wellbeing and hope for the future.

Last year, Turning Tides supported over 1,000 people and this number is sadly rising. The cost-of-living crisis is putting the squeeze on all of us, but for people with no money and no safe place to call home, the struggle to stay fed and hydrated is overwhelming. Currently our stocks are lower than they have ever been. Your donations this Harvest help us ensure that no one is left without the basic nourishment they need to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

How you can help this Harvest

Every item, however small, makes a big difference. We urgently need:

• Drinks: coffee, squash, bottled water, cartons of juice, sugar, long-life milk
• Basics: baked beans, spaghetti hoops, pot noodles, pasta-n-sauce, microwave rice, sauces, cereal, snack bars, porridge pots, tinned meals, tinned tomatoes
• Sandwich fillers: tinned ham, corned beef, tuna, sardines, mackerel, peanut butter, marmite
• Sweet & savoury: biscuits, crisps, snack bars, sweets, rice pudding, custard, tinned fruit
• Toiletries: shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, roll-on deodorant

Your gifts go straight to people experiencing homelessness, helping to nourish their health, support their wellbeing and restore dignity and hope.

 

Ways to give

• Drop goods at our Donation Hub
• Order an online food shop for delivery to our hub
• Send shopping vouchers so we can purchase what is most needed
• Click here to shop our Amazon Wishlist and deliver directly to us

Donation’s officer, Moira Gardner, said “Every tin, packet and donation truly makes a difference. Our shelves have never been so bare, all the food coming in is sent straight out to our services. This Harvest stand with us, so we can continue to provide not just food, but dignity, compassion and hope.”

This Harvest, please give what you can. Working together, we can turn community spirit into nourishment and make sure no one in West Sussex goes hungry.

Drop off and delivery times: Monday-Thursday 9am – 2pm

Unit 2, Dominion Trade Centre, Dominion Way West,

Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8NT