STRATFORD Foodbank is making an urgent call for support in response to high levels of hardship and social isolation.
Foodbank manager Kate Morris said any support residents can offer – from volunteering to donations or raising awareness – will make a big difference for the people accessing the foodbank.
It comes as the Trussell Trust’s ‘Hunger in the UK’ report reveals that one in four people who access food banks are experiencing high levels of social isolation due to financial hardship.
Ms Morris continued: “This harvest season, we are reaching out to our local community to help support our work to break the burden of isolation on those in hardship, so that no one feels alone. For many of the people who receive our support, walking through the doors of the food bank is one of the few social interactions they will have that week.
“We have become increasingly aware that we are not just providing them with food but also the hope of a welcome and connection. We need the help of the community during Harvest to continue to address hunger in the Stratford area. to provide the warmth of hospitality to those who have nothing or no one else to lean on.”
Over the last year, food banks in The Trussell Trust network have experienced record levels of need as more people struggle to afford the essentials and it is likely that this situation will only worsen this winter – so this harvest is a particularly important time for local communities to support the foodbank.
Residents are urged to help in many ways including donating non-perishable goods, such as canned food, UHT juice, squash, and hygiene products, making financial contributions, which allow the charity to purchase essential items and maintain its operations efficiently, and volunteering their time and skills, allowing them to directly engage with the people the Foodbank serves.
Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, added: “We know that many people turn to food banks as a last resort and feel embarrassed that they need to ask for help but food banks across the country are there to offer a warm welcome, provide essential items and help people access services that can lift them out of poverty.
“By coming together and supporting Stratford Foodbank this harvest and through to winter you are not just offering a meal – you are extending a hand of friendship, combating isolation, and helping to provide an environment where everyone is valued.”
