Locally, a new initiative called Jungle, based at Templars Square shopping centre, is causing quite a stir. They deliver hygiene bundles, known as jungle boxes, to families in need. We include things like sanitary towels, nappies, toilet roll, deodorant and washing up liquid in each of our jungle boxes. These essential provisions to help working families make ends meet are long overdue. They serve the communities that have the hardest time affording proper hygiene products.
Each jungle box is approximately £25. It serves as many as 25 people and families referred to it for help. The new initiative is meant to help people who are suffering even though they work full-time. In particular, TREAD’s delivery of three jungle boxes to staff members of a local school demonstrates the initiative’s impact within the community.
Beverly Visser, supervisor at Jungle, described how the program got started. “One of our team members works part time at a local school and that is where this began, because she ran into a lot of families who needed help,” she stated. This new connection with the school has helped Jungle to learn more about the challenges that so many working families are up against.
This financial support from Templars Square shopping centre has allowed Jungle to expand its outreach. As a result of this donation, the shopping centre’s most recent donation of £1,000 will take the jungle box project through to the end of 2025. This generous donation highlights the crucial role community philanthropy plays in meeting the most pressing needs of our communities.
Visser wanted to show the day-to-day struggle, despite being full-time workers, many still experience in order to survive. “In fact three of the bags go to employees of the school. Even though they have a full-time job they still struggle to make ends meet,” she remarked. This quote speaks to a more general issue of the increasing economic burden that impacts working families across the region.
Beyond distributing basic hygiene products, Jungle has fostered a positive space for people to access what they need. “I can tell that the people who come are so grateful and I can tell that they’re struggling,” Visser added. At the heart of this appreciation from recipients is the realization of the imperative role that Jungle serves within their community.
As Jungle moves forward, the organization is dedicated to continuing to educate and support those in need of access to vital hygiene products. The ongoing donations and support of local businesses such as Templars Square shopping center fuel Jungle’s mission. With this support, Jungle hopes to increase its impact and provide greater support to families experiencing economic distress.
