Thanks to Sarah for this update from foodbank. In her own words. Ed
Today on the Isle of Wight there are families struggling to put food on the table. For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis can mean going hungry.
Isle of Wight Foodbank helps to prevent family breakdown, housing loss, crime and mental health problems. We also take time to listen and signpost people to further support.
Many factors lead to no food on the table
“The current economic climate means more and more people are struggling to put food on the table, so we really need the local community to give what they can to help” says Hannah King, foodbank Project Manager.
“It’s not just people on low incomes who are feeling the pinch at the moment, two rounds of benefit changes, increased redundancy, fewer jobs and rising prices are having a real impact on local people and we’re seeing more people turning to the foodbank for help.”
Feeding 100 people per week
She went on to say, “Recent figures show that we are feeding in excess of 100 people a week here on the Isle of Wight. These people find themselves in sudden crisis. How do we define a crisis? No Money + No Food = CRISIS.”
Relies on donations
Isle of Wight foodbank relies completely on the generosity of the public on the Island who donate the food that is needed by way of regular supermarket collections and by personally donating at our Collection points across the Island.
The end of February saw such generosity from Sainsbury’s customers donating over one ton of food in just a weekend.
In addition IoW Foodbank take unwanted textiles and clothes and turn Fashion into Food by recycling them.
The warehouse in Cowes houses the charities’ second hand clothes shop and from where they also sell second-hand furniture.
How can you help?
Monetary donations can be made via Isle of Wight foodbank Just Giving page, their website or by post. Alternatively you can set up a monthly standing order donation or give a little change when you see the Isle of Wight Foodbank green collection tins around or have one in your establishment.
You can also donate by texting FOOD34 £1 to 70070.
Support their events such as the next Nearly New Clothes Sale on March 23rd, Waitrose Supermarket Food Donation Collection on April 27 & 28th or the sponsored Trolley Push on May 9th.
Hold an event for them – Pub Quiz, cake sale or run a sponsored event.
Sponsor them as a business partner.
Donate unwanted textiles and clothes, non- perishable food or drop off undamaged furniture to our Cowes Head Quarters.
Any way in which you can help is always appreciated. Thank You.
Isle of Wight Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trusts network of foodbanks.
For more information please call 01983 292040, visit our website
www.theisleofwightfoodbank.com, find us on facebook or follow us on Twitter!
