In the Community

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Between September and November each year, our congregation wrap and pack individual shoeboxes with a range of gifts which are sent overseas for local churches to distribute to children, on the basis of need alone. 

Each shoebox is an unconditional gift, given to a child with nothing asked for, or expected in return; no pledges, no obligation to go to church or attend classes; ‘no strings attached’. 

These shoebox gifts are an expression of God’s love to us, and the gift of His Son Jesus at Christmas. They give local churches the opportunity to show God’s love to children in a tangible way and, during the distribution event, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, perhaps through age-appropriate music, dance and puppet shows, or through a little book of Bible stories The Greatest Gift. The Greatest Gift, distributed with the shoebox, not inside it.

Despite the pandemic, this wonderful charity is still supported by our community. In 2020 we were privileged to provide 46 boxes to Operation Christmas Child.

If you would like to support this immensely worthwhile cause, please contact us, or click the “find our more” tab below.

We are proud to support the Taff Ely Foodbank. The project aims to provide clients with three days of food to help them get through the crisis they find themselves in. To ease the pressure of finances by having some food to eat for 3 days.

Taff Ely Foodbank, previously known as Pontyclun Foodbank, was started by Bethel Baptist Church, Pontyclun in October 2009. As other centres were opened locally in Church Village, Gilfach Goch, Llanharan & Thomastown the foodbank was renamed Taff Ely Foodbank.  Our foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

St. Illtud’s Church is part of a network of many other churches and chapels, schools, businesses and individuals offering their time and donations of food and money. 

If you wish to support by donating non-perishable, in-date food you can do so by bringing it along to St. Illtud’s Church, or dropping it off any other centre within the network. 

Salem Chapel Foodbank also supports the local community. Food items can be donated at Salem on Saturday mornings between 10-12.30 or at the basket in Tonteg Co-operative. 

For more information on the incredible work that Taff Ely Foodbank does, or need support from the network, please click on the “Find out more” tab below:    

We currently have 8 Foodbank distribution centres, the locations can be found below.
Everyone who comes to the foodbank needs to have a valid foodbank e-voucher

Unit 3,
Ely Valley Business Park,
Tylagarw,
Pontyclun
CF72 9DZ.