Stena Immaculate’s Generous Food Donation to Norfolk Food Banks: A Boost for the Community

A food bank in Gorleston, Norfolk, received an unusual donation recently—a large supply of frozen meat and fish from a cargo ship involved in a North Sea collision. This surprise came after the crew of the Stena Immaculate reached out to the St Mary Magdalene Church food bank.

The incident occurred on March 10, when the Stena Immaculate, transporting jet fuel for the U.S. military, was struck by the Portuguese-flagged ship Solong. After the collision, the Stena Immaculate was towed to Great Yarmouth for inspection.

Reverend Matthew Price described the donation as one of the "craziest" he’d ever seen. “We had no clue what it was going to be," he said, highlighting the shock upon finding out it was a cubic meter of meat. This donation is significant for the food bank, as it can sustain operations for several months. Their weekly community meal serves about 60 adults, and with these donations, they plan to incorporate beef and oxtail soup into the menu.

Experts like those from the Food Bank Support Network note the critical role of such donations, especially as food insecurity rises in many communities. In the UK, food bank usage has increased significantly, with recent data showing that one in five households struggles to access enough food.

Mr. Price emphasized the positive connection the donation created. “It’s really touching to think all the various connections that were made to make this happen,” he shared. The Norwich Foodbank was instrumental in facilitating the donation, linking the ship’s crew with the church.

This story reminds us of the unexpected ways that kindness can emerge from challenging situations. Though the incident with the Stena Immaculate was unfortunate, it led to a meaningful act of generosity that benefits the local community.

For more insights about food insecurity and support systems, check the Food Bank Support Network.

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