Scores of people braved the rain to attend a giveaway event at City Hall this afternoon which included a special donation to public school sport teams.

The annual event by The Grateful Bread began at 1pm with an array of free, new and second hand items including women’s, men’s and children’s clothes and shoes, accessories, toys, bedding, household goods and toiletries.

There was a special section dedicated to the public school students thanks to a generous donation of gear from The Pro Shop sports store on Reid street.

The store provided 78 new pairs of football boots and sports sneakers, 100 pairs of sports socks, more than 70 sports jerseys, shorts, pants and sweats plus a dozen black wrist bands.

Juliana Snelling, The Grateful Bread organiser, said she was so pleased with the donation that her law firm Canterbury Law purchased 20 new footballs from The Pro Shop to add to the giveaway.

The sports gear was handed to Manny Faria, chair of the Bermuda School Sports Federation, who will distribute the items to public school students in need.

Frankie Brewster of The Pro Shop said: “We, The Pro Shop family, are proud to have donated football boots and other sporting goods to the Grateful Bread community group. Giving back to the community gives us much joy and satisfaction, and we will continue to support our community any way we can.”

Shaun Philpott, PE and health teacher at West End Primary School, expressed his gratitude to The Pro Shop and The Grateful Bread for the donations.

He said: “Thanks to your donation, our students without the necessary equipment will be able to play and enjoy the sport of football safely. Your donation will also help the students who don’t play on a league team the ability to participate in our school. This will lead to further growth and a love for the sport and hopefully continuously participating outside of school making a positive impact on our community.”

Lyndsy Ford, Whitney Institute Middle School PE teacher and co-chair of the BSSF, said the football boots and uniforms will enhance students’ experience on the football field. She added: “They shall wear them proudly.”

Mr Faria said: “It’s heart-warming to see local businesses team up with local community action groups to provide assistance to our young and deserving students who might otherwise go without.”

Juliana Snelling thanked The Pro Shop as well as Dr Alicia Stovell-Washington of the Bermuda Eye Centre and Carey Olsen for donating thousands of dollars’ worth of toiletries. Ms Snelling also thanked all the supporters who donate regularly to the cause of providing shelter to the homeless in Bermuda through the Grateful Bread.

There were also representatives of Home, a charity and facility that works to prevent homelessness, at the event. The Grateful Bread supports Home by way of fundraising efforts.

George Pavey, a client of Home, said: “I was at the organisation last year, I didn’t have a stable place to sleep, now I have a job – it’s not full time but it’s a start. It’s a foot in the door. My employer wants me back as he likes my work.”

Kenlyn Butterfield, a volunteer for The Grateful Bread, said: “People in need come here and it these items are free. Donations are collected from April to April, it is stored it then they bring everything here for us to give away. People are so happy, this is the big annual event.”

Copeland Smith, another volunteer, said: “I feel great – this is definitely a good thing especially because of the way the economy is going and everything is expensive. This is going to help people go a long way.”

Kono Young was lucky enough to find a few items of men’s clothing to take home during the event. He said: “Right now things are very expensive – it’s been a tough couple of years. There is some good quality stuff here and everybody is happy.”

Sonya Durham, a senior who was looking through the clothing section, said: “It is very good for the community. I am here because I really need the help – a lot of people do – a lot of people are out of work it’s hard times for everyone so any help we can get, we really appreciate it.“