TNP supporting those in need

One December afternoon, the TNP leadership team sent out an email to staff, requesting volunteers to purchase food for food banks in local areas. In prior years, TNP had purchased hampers for staff but this year, the TNP leadership team suggested contributing on our behalf to the many food banks in local areas that would be helping the many people who will be in considerable need this Christmas.

Within a few short minutes, the response back to the leadership team had been overwhelmingly positive. The twenty groups that had initially been allocated soon had to be expanded to include the huge numbers of TNP staff wanting to take part.

This included staff from a variety of different places, not just within the UK:

• Alberto, Ricardo and Mario filled the entire trunks of their cars with contributions in Lisbon, Portugal
• Bernardette delivering 174kg of food to The Trussell Trust in Salisbury, where the supplies of food had practically run out - they were so grateful, as people would've been turned away
• Leon, Michelle and Lauren utilising Tesco's ClubCard deals to drop off 95.96kgs to Basingstoke Foodbank
• Marcos, Javier, Jorge, Joao and Carlos representing Team TNP Spain
• Our Engagement Management team chose to forego the usual Secret Santa gifts for one another and instead spend that money on food donations for their local food banks - a great gesture! They donated supplies across the UK to food banks in the Midlands, Potton and Romsey. This included 152.8kg donated in Coventry alone! 
• A 90kg food donation was contributed by the TNP South Africa team, who had 'huge fun doing this - laughing and smiling every step along the way'
• Our Licensing guru Russ donated a huge assortment of food and essentials to his local food bank in Andover
• Rob, on behalf of our Power BI team, delivered the most needed articles to West Berkshire food bank, including items such as long-life milk, sugar, instant coffee and tinned meats
• Supermarket Sweep took over Belper in Derbyshire when our Web Team added their own money to TNP's kind donation and filled two trolleys with much needed items
• Our Project Office team took to Tesco to provide West Berkshire food bank with hygiene items, staple food items and festive treats
• Esther, Lucy and Louis from the Marketing team visited Costco to get as much as possible with their money, donating what they bought to West Berkshire food bank
• Managed Services delivered 25kg of potatoes, 25kg of onions, gravy granules, 14 large Christmas puddings, 36 tins of custard, mince pies and lots of butter (the team were told that their chefs will be delighted!)

It would be impossible for us to list every single team's incredible contributions (this blog post would go on for an eternity!) but we do want to send our heartfelt thanks to every single member of the TNP team who went out of their way to bring some festive joy this holiday season.

"Thanks to everyone involved in this initiative from the Spanish team. And a big thank you to our board for promoting these actions and helping us support others. Knowing that some families will get to enjoy a warm meal thanks to us is excellent and True Christmas spirit! Thank you!!" - Carlos Bravo, Team Spain

"I am helping with the Engagement Management team's efforts and spoke with one of the Trussell Trust Distribution sites today. I had a lovely conversation with them, and came away feeling both humbled, a little surprised but energised to do as much as we can. They are so appreciative." - Chris Barnes, Engagement Manager

"Thank you, leaders of TNP, for being such compassionate, considerate, and generous humans; and for inspiring and enabling us to express such kindness in this very down-to-earth and impactful fashion!" - Matt Aitken, Web Team

"Today I was able to donate to North Guildford Foodbank where they have set up St Clare’s church to give and receive donations. I walked into over 15 volunteers who were sorting all the food and were so grateful for the donations, and were genuinely amazed at the generosity of the company I am so very proud to say I work for." - Jayne Brockbank, Senior Project Manager

As expected, the TNP response has been phenomenal. Food banks up and down the country, as well as around the world, have been topped up by the kindness of our staff. Even the below freezing temperatures couldn't stop the sharing of the warmth and kindness. Thanks to every single person involved!

"We have decided to donate food to Newbury Soup Kitchen. The organisation not only provides hot meals to those in need but also helps with the below.

• Haircuts (Thursdays)
• Eye tests and Eye Health checks
• PIP and UC application form support
• Community Health Outreach Liaison team, Support (HOLT)    
• Foot Care (due to commence again 2022 COVID permitting)
• They provide additional clothing, hats, gloves and camping items too" - Pav Moravek, Managed Services

"A big thank you from the Chesterfield FC Community Trust and their Feed Chesterfield Together Charity. I’m already involved with the Trust and I was really keen to use my share of the PM Team funds to support them as I’ve seen first hand the difference they make." - Alison Brooks, Project Manager

As well as supporting food banks through the cold winter, we have also created a Christmas video in support of the homeless charity Crisis. If you'd be interested in helping out and donating a little to help those struggling with homelessness, you can watch our Christmas video here and donate to Crisis here.