Pesh Kapasiawala, Chair of Trustees of 3Food4U, showed his community spirit by donating £500 personally to Ongar’s Christmas lights crowdfunder. This generous contribution will boost the annual festive celebration that brings joy and unity to residents during the holiday season.
The Spirit of Giving: Pesh Kapasiawala’s Gesture
Pesh Kapasiawala received recognition at the Palace of Westminster for his extraordinary community service, showing evidence of local leadership and philanthropy. His role as the founder and chair of trustees of 3Food4U has changed community support significantly in Essex and North London.
Who is Pesh Kapasiawala?
Pesh founded 3Food4U in 2020 and transformed it into a leading emergency food agency serving Essex and North London. His organisation helps over 1,500 families weekly through its community surplus hubs. The organisation’s achievements under his leadership stand out:
- Delivered more than 1,500 tonnes of food to communities
- Served 180,000 meals to help over 12,000 people
- Led a dedicated team of 300+ volunteers ranging from 13 to 80 years old
- Maintained daily operations at multiple locations throughout the week
The motivation behind the £500 donation
Pesh’s dedication to community welfare goes beyond simple necessities. His fifteen-year partnership with local schools, churches, and governmental agencies shows his deep understanding of community needs. His core belief in treating people with dignity and respect drives this motivation and shapes his approach to community service.
How the donation process unfolded
Pesh’s personal contribution to Ongar’s Christmas lights not only to help our community but as part of his expanded community support vision.
3Food4U has grown beyond its initial role of providing emergency food assistance. They now take a detailed approach to community welfare that includes free counselling, NHS health checks, job clubs, and memory cafés for dementia patients. This donation marks another milestone in his mission to create positive changes throughout Essex communities.
3Food4U continues to support families and strengthen community bonds in Ongar and nearby areas. The organisation’s regular work provides essential support to local families without assessment or referral, while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Ongar Christmas Lights: A Community Tradition
Hundreds of residents gather each December to celebrate the festive makeover of Ongar’s High Street, a cherished tradition that captures the community’s spirit in this historic Essex town. The annual celebration extends beyond a mere lighting display and serves as the community’s heartbeat.
Importance of the event to local residents
Christmas lights act as a catalyst that brings economic benefits and brings communities together. Local businesses report increased footfall during the festive season. The lit up streets create an atmosphere that leads to:
- Better community interaction and stronger neighbour relationships
- More visitors at local shops and services
- Memorable experiences for families and children
- A stronger sense of local identity and pride
Challenges faced in recent years
The Christmas lights tradition faced its most important hurdles over the last several years. The community needed to make big changes when COVID-19 hit in 2020. They reduced event capacity and improved safety protocols. The community showed amazing strength through it all. Local heroes stepped up to help with fundraising efforts.
The town’s festive charm got even better when the Epping Ongar Railway launched the Lights Express. This creative 90-minute experience went together with one another, featuring synchronised LED displays and interactive wristbands. The new addition kept the magical atmosphere alive despite tough times and showed how Ongar’s festive spirit adapts to change.
3Food4U: More Than Just a Food Bank
3Food4U is a trailblazing community support organisation that serves Essex’s Epping Forest district. The organisation has transformed charitable assistance through its reliable network of support centres in Chigwell Row, Chipping Ongar, Loughton, and Waltham Abbey.
Overview of 3Food4U’s services
3Food4U serves as a detailed community surplus hub that removes traditional barriers to support. The organisation’s services go beyond simple food distribution to help community members with:
- Free food and groceries
- Home essentials distribution
- Clothing and toy donations
- Weekly social cafes
- Daily foodbank operations
3Food4U is a charity committed to community support
3Food4U’s operations centre on treating people with dignity and respect. This organisation serves as a beacon of equality and fairness that supports 1,200 people weekly across its network. People can access essential services immediately without formal assessments or referrals.
The organisation has aided the distribution of 386,068 meals and collected 4 tonnes of non-food items. These achievements have saved approximately 599 tonnes of CO2 emissions and shown their steadfast dedication to social and environmental responsibility.
Other charitable initiatives by 3Food4U
3Food4U has built mutually beneficial alliances with major retailers like Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, and ALDI. These retailers have substantially supported the surplus food collection programme, which helps maintain a steady supply of resources for community distribution.
3Food4U has developed complete diversity and equality goals to make their services available to everyone. Their recruitment and partnership development reflects this commitment. The organisation regularly asks different community groups about their needs and maintains facilities that everyone can access, including people with disabilities.
People between 13 and 80 years volunteer their time and skills in an inclusive environment. This community-driven approach helps deliver services quickly and builds a strong sense of community ownership.
The Ripple Effect of Local Philanthropy
Recent studies show that public donations remain the largest income source for voluntary organisations, with an annual contribution of £22.9 billion. Local philanthropy creates meaningful ripple effects throughout communities, and charitable donations to community initiatives yield benefits that go way beyond their monetary value.
How donations like this inspire others
Research shows participating donors give 50% more annually when they witness positive community action. Small businesses showcase remarkable generosity and donate 250% more than larger businesses to local non-profits and community causes. Their actions create a ripple effect that motivates others to support their community’s wellbeing.
Building stronger community participation
Community participation works both ways and creates value for donors and recipients alike. Research indicates that organisations supporting local causes earn positive perception from 85% of consumers. This positive image creates:
- Deeper trust between businesses and community members
- Higher numbers of volunteers
- Better partnerships among local organisations
- Stronger bonds between residents
- Better ability to overcome challenges
Economic benefits for Ongar during the festive season
Local philanthropy’s benefits become clear during the festive period. Christmas lights and seasonal celebrations bring substantial economic advantages to local communities. Studies show that community projects yield impressive returns – every £1 invested creates £2.36 in local economic value.
Town centres see more visitors during the festive period. Streets that light up beautifully attract people from nearby areas. Local businesses get better trading opportunities in this season. This creates a positive cycle of economic growth and community development. Research shows that businesses taking part in community activities gain loyal customers who return throughout the year.
More visitors and stronger community bonds during festivities lead to lasting economic gains. Local businesses connect better with customers. Community organisations receive more support for their projects. This shows how the holiday season’s goodwill can help build a stronger community over time.
Conclusion
Pesh Kapasiawala donated £500 to Ongar’s Christmas lights, which symbolises more than just seasonal decorations. This generous act aligns with 3Food4U’s mission to build stronger communities through detailed support services that range from emergency food assistance to social programmes. The organisation helps over 1,500 families weekly and shows how local philanthropy creates meaningful change through community involvement and volunteer participation.
These local charitable initiatives make communities stronger and generate substantial economic benefits. Studies reveal that community projects multiply each invested pound by 2.36 times in local economic value, which makes such donations crucial to stimulate growth. Ongar’s Christmas lights tradition receives support from generous community members and organisations and exemplifies how preserved local customs and philanthropic spirit combine to create thriving, resilient communities for future generations.
Author: Kelly Stone
Owner of Site