Scarborough's Rainbow Centre launches 2026 Harvest Festival Appeal

As autumn approaches, The Rainbow Centre is once again calling on the Scarborough community to come together for its Harvest Festival Appeal 2026.

Last year’s appeal saw more than 100 businesses, schools, churches, clubs, community groups and organisations get involved, providing vital support to The Rainbow Centre and the people it helps throughout the local community.

Following that incredible response, the charity is hoping to make this year’s appeal even bigger.

The Rainbow Centre supports some of the most vulnerable people in Scarborough, providing practical help, food, advice and a safe place for people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, food insecurity and other difficult circumstances.

Its Foodbank and Food Shed are a vital part of this support, but demand remains high.

James Howard, from The Rainbow Centre, said: “Last year, more than 100 organisations showed just how much can be achieved when a community comes together. The generosity and support we received was truly overwhelming.

“This year, we want to build on that success and encourage even more people across Scarborough to get involved.

“A few tins, packets or bags of food might seem like a small gesture, but when hundreds of people make that gesture together, it becomes something incredibly powerful.

“Harvest Festival is a wonderful opportunity for our community to make sure that nobody in Scarborough goes without the essentials.”

How can local organisations help?

The Rainbow Centre is asking local businesses, schools, churches, clubs, community groups and organisations to support the appeal in whatever way works best for them.

Supporters could:

Hold a Harvest Festival collection at their workplace or organisation

Ask staff, customers, members or pupils to donate food

Organise a small collection or fundraising activity

Donate food directly from their business

Make a financial donation to help purchase essential supplies

Encourage customers, members or supporters to get involved

Help spread the word about the appeal

There is no minimum donation, and every contribution can make a difference.

The Rainbow Centre is particularly keen to hear from organisations that would like to organise their own collection and will be happy to provide information, posters and promotional materials to help supporters get involved.

The charity also wants to hear about the collections and fundraising activities taking place across Scarborough, so that it can thank supporters and recognise their efforts through its social media and community channels.

James added:“We want to see even more of Scarborough standing alongside those who need us most.

“Together, we can make sure this Harvest Festival is about more than simply giving thanks for what we have. It can be about making sure that others have something to be thankful for too.”

Get involved

Businesses, schools, churches, clubs, community groups and organisations wishing to support the Rainbow Centre Harvest Festival Appeal 2026 are encouraged to get in touch with The Rainbow Centre for further information and collection materials.

Email [email protected] or call 07588 000 571.