We recently received a phone call and follow-up email from an Accommodation Assistant at Wakefield Council. A family of 11—mum, dad, and nine children, ranging from a 16-year-old to a baby—had been evicted from their private rental property that day. With nowhere else to go, the council had placed them in temporary accommodation, but there was a major problem: they had almost nothing with them.

Their belongings had been put into storage until they could secure a permanent home, but that meant they were left with just a handful of items. Although the property they had been placed in had single beds, there was no bedding at all. No duvets, no pillows, no sheets—nothing to keep them warm that night.

Which is where Community Foundation Wakefield District stepped in.

As our stock of donated items was running low, we made the decision to buy brand-new single duvets and pillows from Asda Living to make sure each child, and their parents, had warm bedding for the night. But as we spoke to the parents, we quickly realised their needs went beyond just bedding.

Their previous home had been partially furnished, meaning they had to leave behind essential household items like crockery, cutlery, pans, a kettle, and a toaster. With no funds available for over a week and a fee required to retrieve their stored belongings, they were facing an impossible situation.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to step in and provide the essentials. We filled two large trolleys with everything they needed to make it through the next few weeks—warm bedding, kitchen essentials, and small comforts that would help them settle into their temporary home.

This is exactly why the Community Foundation Wakefield District exists. When families find themselves in crisis, we are there to help, providing immediate, practical support when it’s needed most. But we can only do this with the continued support of our funders and the public.

Your donations make stories like this possible. Whether it’s a set of sheets for a child with no bedding or a kettle for a family who has lost everything, every contribution makes a difference.

If you’d like to help us continue this vital work, please consider making a donation today. With your support, we can ensure no family in our community is left without the basics they need to rebuild their lives.