We have had a busy few weeks, with Freshers Fairs, Harvest Thanksgivings and the BBC make a Difference awards.
We provided regular i.e. weekly support to nearly 1000 people in the form of food and other essential supplies parcels. We also delivered hundreds of kitchen collective meals We packed and delivered 88 Emergency Parcels to over 217 people. We also provided food support to many local community groups and charities who we are proud to partner and stand in solidarity with. They also provide considerable support to O.M.A and we are incredibly grateful!
All in all, O.M.A supported between 1500 and 2000 people this week
Feedback
We wanted to share some wonderful feedback we received this week. Thank you to everyone who shared these kind words – we are very moved and humbled by them.
‘Oxford Mutual Aid makes me feel like I am living instead of just existing’
‘Thank you again for helping to provide us with this lifeline. My family and I would be in a far more desperate situation without this incredible help.’
‘I want to say how Grateful [my partner] and myself are for the help you have given us in these frightening times trying to afford anything. You are All blessed.x’
Harvest Thanksgiving
This week we spoke at Harvest Thanksgiving at the St Mary & St John Church on Cowley Road. O.M.A is based at the Richard Benson Hall which is one of their halls. We love our ‘home’ there and are very grateful for the continued support that is shown to O.M.A by this community. We also received some incredible donations pictured below
Make a Difference Awards
This week we attended BBC Radio Oxford’s Make a Difference Awards. Although we did not win, we were just happy to attend and to meet all the wonderful people who are doing incredible things to stand in solidarity with and support their communities. We want to thank those of you who nominated us and continue to support us in all the work that we do. There are so many people who work so hard – too many to name – who are doing brilliant things around Oxford.
Raid your cupboards
Toiletries, Cleaning Products and Essential Items
Alongside food, OMA provides other essential items. We do not consider these items to be luxuries but instead basic necessities that a person needs to live a dignified life.
We provide toilet roll, sanitary products, nappies and contraceptives on a weekly basis, with baby formula available once every two weeks.
Once a month, OMA provides a toiletries and cleaning products bundle.
We used to be able to offer all of these items more frequently. However, due to rising costs in other areas (food, fuel, rent) as well as a rising demand – we have had to reduce the frequency with which we can provide these items.
This week, it is a toiletries and cleaning products week at OMA but demand far outstrips what is currently available.
We are low on the following items if you can donate any:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Washing up liquid
- Bleach
- Laundry detergent
- Sponges
- Toilet roll
We are especially in need of bleach: https://tinyurl.com/yk23rhnp
We also need some support sourcing baby products:
Aptamil stage 1, 2, 3, 4 https://tinyurl.com/3b9wj6r2
Food Requests
Alongside these essential items, we are also continuing to call out for some of our old favourites!
Tinned tuna: https://bit.ly/32XAl5O
Soup: https://tinyurl.com/yckkn9hj
Tinned meat: https://tinyurl.com/bddy87ut
You can drop off any day between 10am to 7pm (Weekdays) & 10am to 6pm (Weekends) at the Richard Benson Hall, 276 Cowley Road!
Call out for plastic bags
Do you have any spare strong plastic bags that you’d like to donate?
We are accepting donations of bags at the Richard Benson Hall on Cowley Road or alternatively please email coordinators@oxfordmutualaid.org to arrange!