Holbeach Community Larder chair of trustees Jane Francis steps down after 12 years of service

A volunteer at a community food bank has stepped down after 12 years of service.

Jane Francis has resigned from her post of chair of trustees at Holbeach Community Larder after devoting her time and energy to the charitable organisation which started in 2013.

The retired governmental social researcher feels it is the right time to step down after more than a decade of commitment to the larder which is based at the Reading Rooms in Holbeach.

She said: “I have been involved from the very first meeting.

“All organisations need to reinvent as new people come in with new ideas.

“The highlights for me are where we have helped with individual situations.”

Jane initiated relationships with supermarkets Tesco, Marks & Spencer and The Original Factory Shop as collection points for food items.

She said: “One area of my role as chair was maintaining relationships with supermarkets.

“Holbeach Tesco, Marks & Spencer formerly of Spalding and now of King’s Lynn have been absolutely wonderful.

“How much they have donated and the quality of the food and even if the use-by date was the same day we knew it would be good and last.”

Jane has gone above and beyond with her team of volunteers to go the extra mile, introducing fresh food and delivering some 40 meals a week during the pandemic.

She said: “Sometimes people don't realise how much work we put in behind the scenes.

“‘There is a lot of donkey work and we have a solid group of volunteers.

“We have gone to help a homeless person with a baby on Christmas day who has no food and helped them to get temporary accommodation.”

Jane has helped women who have escaped domestic violence and always tried to give a little bit extra when youngsters are involved.

She said: “Sometimes we may help them late at night to make sure they have food.

“Doing what I could to ensure that they had enough food.

“I would give them that bit extra especially when kids were involved.”

It is this ‘personal touch’ that has made a difference to thousands of people living below the poverty line.

Jane said: “Listening to people and understanding their problems and redirecting them for help is all part of the role.

“Politically things change too.

“One of the things that has been nice since I gave up is hearing people say I don’t judge and treat people with dignity and respect “

John Walker will take over as chair of the trustees and Liz Walker will become the new treasurer.

Tony Dire and Martin Johnson have also been appointed as new trustees.

Jane plans to spend more time on her hobbies - learning Latin American dancing - and aims to travel more with her husband who is due to retire.

She plans to continue running the Holbeach Community Café - not attached to the larder - on a Friday at the Reading Rooms.

Jane was presented with a beautiful vase and card to thank her for her vocation.

She said: “I wanted a quiet retreat - I am not one to make a big fuss.

“I have given a lot of my time and money to the service and to the community.

“I am proud as are my family.”

For further details visit the Holbeach Community Larder Facebook page.

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