If you are interested in volunteering with Foodbank please contact Daphine Aikens on 0207 751 2248 or email her on admin@hffb.org, or speak to Tim McGowan at St Matthews or email him on tim@tmls.co.uk.
What is Foodbank?
St Matthews are delighted to be invited to take part in a new initiative to reach the most deprived parts of our community in Sand End and South Fulham. Foodbank was first created by an organisation called The Trusell Trust in Salisbury Wiltshire. It now has many centres all over the UK. St Matthews are being asked to contribute along with other local churches to pioneer one of the first Foodbank outlets in inner London. A team from St Matthews pcc went to visit the Salisbury Foodbank to see the work first hand.
Ok sounds interesting but what does it do?
Foodbank is essentially a store where people can deposit food so that people who are in need of food can take it out. It is aimed at those people and their families who may have a short term emergency need. For example, a common problem we come across in Sands End is when a benefits cheque is slow to arrive or money has run out at the end of the month. In genuine cases Foodbank can help individuals and families bridge that gap by supplying them with non persishable food supplies.
Are there people really going hungry in Sands End?
Yes, here are some statistics on poverty in the H&F Borough.
- 27% of residents live in poverty (compared to the average of 17% in England, 18% in London and an inner-London average of 20%), - 1 in 4 children live in households where the head of the household has never worked - 18% of the working age population is on some form of benefits - 50% of children live in low income families - Where 1 is the most deprived, this Borough is ranked 38th out of 354 local authorities, in terms of average deprivation.
And yes, because we know from experience that there are many who are already helped by people in the church to bridge monthly financial shortfalls.
Who is already involved?
The project is being coordinated by Christ Church in Fulham (contact below) who are very keen to work in partnership with local churches.
Ok, so how does it work?
Teams of Foodbank volunteers will collect food outside local supermarkets, churches and schools. At the supermarket they hand to shoppers a list of items that the Foodbank needs. Shoppers add one of the items or more to their shopping and pay as normal at the tills, then on the way out they hand the item(s) to the volunteers who then pack them into boxes to be taken away.
Boxes being packed back at the storage facility.
SANDS END SAINSBURYS ARE EXCITED TO BE INVOLVED. THE FIRST COLLECTION WILL BE THERE ON SATURDAY 15TH MAY.
The collected food is then taken to a central store (location to be decided) and graded according to 'sell by' date. Food is then prepared in boxes for up to three days supply for clients in need to come and collect.
How is Foodbank 'bringing Jesus to the people and the people to Jesus?'
Its great that you know St Matthew's vision statement!
Foodbank will be a practical outworking of our desire to meet people in our local community, outside the church community as Jesus would. How is St Matthews a church for 'the Sands End community?' Well this is a practical way we can show the love of Jesus to those in need around us. We desire to see lives transformed not only through physical provision of food, but through the recognition and understanding of how wonderful, unique and loved every single one of us is in the eyes of Jesus.
Can anyone goand collect food for free?
No there is a system. Foodbank will be working in partnership with local social services, front line care workers, doctors surgeries and church leaders. They will have special FB vouchers which they can fill out and give to those they meet who are in genuine crisis need. For example, those who need a bridge between benefit cheques, those waiting for cheques to arrive like people who have just come out of prison. Those vouchers can then be redeemed for food at the the Foodbank store/centre. The beauty of FB is that it recognises the importance of working alongside those who are already on the front line and who can determine whether there is genuine need or not.
Could this be open to abuse?
There will be checks and balances in place to make as sure as possible that only genuine need is met. Also, Foodbank initially offers a short term solution with the supply of emergency food. A client can only collect food up to three occasions. Foodbank will be able to put people in touch with agencies who can help on a more long term basis.
Ok, it sounds really exciting how can I get involved?
Thats great! You can get involved in many ways.
1. Volunteer. You maybe able to help with collections, prayer and administration.
2. Distribution and Packing. Do you have warehousing/ practical skills?
3. Fundraising. You may want to help by raising money through charities and grant applications. You may even want to run for Foodbank in a charitable race!
4. Social Services. Are you on the front line? You may already have skills and/or work alongside social services. We'd love to hear from you!
5. Donations. If you wish to make a private donation through St Matthews church please mark the envelope clearly with 'FOODBANK'. Remember if you are a UK tax payer please fill in the yellow envelope forms so that we can claim back 28% from the government.
CONTACT
If you would like to be involved or would like more information please send an email stating what your interest and skills are to either;
Project Coordinator Daphine Aikens at Hammermith and Fulham Foodbank admin@hffb.org or call 0207 751 2248.
Boxes being packed back at the storage facility.