SKY Blue Support marks its second anniversary this weekend, having helped more than 90,000 struggling Coventrians in the two years since its launch.
During that time, the not-for-profit community organisation has provided hot meals and food parcels to those in need.
Founder Sunny Braitch said he had been ‘overwhelmed’ by Coventry’s community spirit but warned, with the cost-of-living crisis deepening, the service was ‘now more important than ever.’
To mark the milestone, Sky Blue Support will hold a second anniversary street feed on Remembrance Road in Willenhall from 1pm on Saturday, January 4.
Sunny has always loved helping people and, after initially volunteering at another charity, he and a group of friends set up Sky Blue Support.
They now hold street feeds every Saturday, helping residents in Willenhall or Hillfields on alternating weekends.
Sunny said: “We are always thinking how else we could help the areas of the city we don’t feel are getting support.
“We started off getting small donations from local stores to help us out but after being put in touch with FareShare and Neighbourly, major chains like Tesco, KFC, Nandos, Sainsbury’s and Aldi started donating food to us.”
Other contributors include TikTok sensations Binley Mega Chippy which donated hot chips to give away weekly, and Coventry businesses allow Sky Blue Support to use anything from carrier bags to free electricity.
The group’s 19 volunteers, including some kind-hearted schoolchildren, drop off food supplies to residents, charities and shelters seven days a week.
Sunny added: “Unfortunately recently we’ve been having so many more people need our services, including those with full-time jobs who can’t make their wages last the month.
“The times we’re living in are crazy and we don’t know when they’ll end, but we serve everyone with no questions asked – we are just pleased we’re making a difference.
“We’ve created such an unbelievable Coventry family and it’s quite emotional when people tell us how much we’ve helped them.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved and at least we can all say when we die we’ve done our bit to help others.”
Sky Blue Support is also on the lookout for a new van to help with pick-ups and drop-offs.
Contact Sunny on the Sky Blue Support social media pages if you can donate a van.
Those in need of Sky Blue Supports services can visit St Peter’s Centre in Hillfields every second Saturday from 1pm.
People in Willenhall can visit Remembrance Road every other Saturday at the same time, although the feeds will take place at the Haggard centre on days when there is poor weather.
