Portsmouth Cathedral are pleased to once again be participating in the citywide harvest, With Thankful Hearts.

As well as the heatwaves and drought conditions in the country there has been one constant item on the News and in conversations. It is of course the economic situation we face and particularly the pressures on those on low incomes and on the margins of our society. Although the utility bills increases and inflation affects us all, it has a particular impact on those on the margins. We all then have a choice to either reduce our costs and look after ourselves, or to be aware of others and seek to also support them.

Our local foodbanks, Pantries, Larders and others who provide food are also noticing that their supplies and stocks are decreasing as the demands increase and as the availability of food appears to reduce.

Over the last two years as a city we have come together and supported a Harvest season campaign in our community groups, schools and faith groups. There was a strong sense of us showing that deep community spirit of which Pompey people are rightly proud.

So this year we are inviting everyone again to offer food and resources ‘With Thankful Hearts’ to those share with others through our foodbanks and other providers. But this year we are asking that this sharing comes with a commitment from each of us to ‘adopt a provider’ for a year and to support them as best we can through the coming winter and challenging times.

Let us with thankful hearts reach out and show that love and care for those around us.

We would like everyone who is able to donate food, these will then be shared with the local food providers in the community. This will include Foodbanks, Larders, Pantries and other groups who provide meals and support to those who experience food poverty.

The appeal aims to support those who are struggling for food supplies this autumn and winter.

Please bring your donations any of our Sunday morning services (8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am) on Harvest Sunday, 25 September.