A day that reminded us why this work matters.
This week we spent time in Middlesbrough with our partners Cleveland Police and Doorways, sitting down with Florence and hearing her story first-hand. Her journey is one of pain, resilience and hope.
Florence’s journey through crisis
Florence is a survivor of domestic violence. She experienced homelessness during a time when her life felt completely out of control.
After fleeing an abusive relationship, Florence found herself sleeping rough. She focused on surviving day-to-day.
Through Doorways, alongside support from Feeding Families and Cleveland Police, Florence accessed the basics many of us take for granted: food, hygiene essentials and human connection.
She received Rough Sleeper Packs, Hygiene Packs and Essential Food Boxes. These practical items created breathing space when she needed it most.
“It’s been the hardest experience and there were times I wanted to give up but with the support of Doorways and Feeding Families, I got better.”
The turning point
That support became a turning point.
Florence is no longer sleeping rough and in a powerful full-circle moment, she volunteers daily at Doorways. She serves food and drinks, listens to others’ stories and offers reassurance to people facing the same struggles she once did.
“If I can change, anyone can change with the right help – and there is help here.”
Doorways: dignity and community
Doorways is a lifeline in Middlesbrough. The charity provides hot meals, showers, workshops and a welcoming space built on lived experience.
The team supports dozens of people every day. Many are sleeping rough. Many feel unseen.
Marty, a volunteer at Doorways, described what the space means to the people who come through its doors:
“It’s a lovely and friendly place to come and get a free meal and hot drink, shower and conversation. We do as much as we can for whoever we can.”
Through our partnership, Feeding Families supplies food parcels and essential items. Doorways uses this support to help individuals directly and to prepare hot meals for people who walk through their doors. Aimee, the manager of Doorways told us:
“We’re feeding 60-70 people a day at Doorways and we see new faces here all the time…Cleveland Police linked us with Feeding Families, who have been amazing. They offer us rough sleeper packs and hygiene packs to help the homeless but also their essentials boxes. It’s needed as people can only access the foodbank vouchers once every 6 months.”
A community working together
We also met volunteers from Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen Middlesbrough. They serve hot meals weekly in the town centre. Their work shows the power of community-led kindness.
Together, these organisations share one purpose: ensuring no one faces crisis alone.
Why your support matters
Our CEO, Wayne Dobson, joined us on the visit and saw first-hand how food parcels can be more than just food.
“A parcel can be the gateway to recovery. What matters is that it’s delivered with dignity, care and hope.”
Every parcel is packed by volunteers. Each one includes a handwritten note. It’s a small reminder that someone cares.
Florence’s story is a message of hope but it’s also a reminder.
This support exists because people choose to make it possible.
Every donation to Feeding Families helps put food, hygiene essentials and dignity into the hands of someone who is struggling right now. We work through trusted partners who already know their communities and are there when help is needed most.
It’s how a food parcel becomes more than food. It’s how essentials become breathing space. It’s how someone like Florence gets the chance to start again.
When you support Feeding Families, you help real people in real communities at the moment they need it most.
Thank you for being part of that hope.
Listen to the full story on BBC Radio Tees here.