‘With Thankful Hearts’ Harvest appeal

Inviting everyone to offer food and resources ‘With Thankful Hearts’ to those who share with others through our Foodbanks and other providers, with a commitment to support them as best we can through the coming winter and challenging times.

Many of us have seen the economic pressures on those on low incomes and on the margins of our society. Although utility bill 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 five 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.

Harvest each year gives us a chance to stop and offer thanks to God and to reflect on how we can share those things we have been given.

• You are invited to bring food to share with others – the Roberts Centre will receive most of our donations, please bring tinned foods etc., and bring food you would like to receive and enjoy (even chocolate!);
• You are invited to make a donation to support the work of Kitchen of Hope in our City – which cooks meals and uses food to break down barriers and build community;
• You are invited to make a commitment to support our life as a Christian community – and the work and ministry we carry out in our part of the city.

There are a number of events this year (2026) where you can not only enjoy community thanksgiving as part of the season of Harvest, but also find opportunities to share and give through the food banks and projects operating in our city.

• Saturday 3rd October, 10am, St Mary’s Church
  Messy Harvest
  Come and explore how we can be thankful in art and craft and ending with a free lunch.

• Sunday 4th October, 3:30pm, St Mary’s Church
  Harvest Supper and Barn Dance
  A chance to enjoy live music and join in some fun dancing, and a Ploughman’s Supper.

• Tuesday 6th October, 7pm, St Faith’s Church
  St Faith’s Day Patronal Mass

• Sunday 11th October, 1:30pm, St Mary’s Church
  A chance to come and watch the People’s Emergency Briefing, a film about a major climate conference that took place in London and a discussion about the issues it raises.

The Ven Bob White can be contacted here.