July 24, 2023
Southend Foodbank Summer Special Edition
WELCOME TO THE SUMMER EDITION OF OUR NEWSLETTER
Mid-year stats
We received more than 3,700 referrals and gave out over 9,600 food parcels during January to June this year. This means we have given out more food in the first six months of 2023, than we did in the whole of 2021.
The need for emergency food is outstripping donations and over the last six months and we have needed to spend over £53,000 to cover the shortfall in donations.
The need for emergency food is outstripping donations and over the last six months and we have needed to spend over £53,000 to cover the shortfall in donations.
Read our media release to find out more about our mid-year statistics.
Institute for Fiscal Studies’ living standards, poverty and inequality report 2023
Earlier this month (14 July 2023), the Institute for Fiscal Studies published their Living Standards, Poverty and Inequality in the UK report. One of the key findings is that the temporary £20 universal credit uplift was 40% more effective at reducing poverty than any of the cost-of-living payments introduced by the government since.
The Trussell Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation are calling on the government to increase universal credit to a level where basic needs are met. We have exciting campaign news coming up in September.
Summer campaign
Our summer campaign starts this week! We’re looking at all the different pieces we do at Southend Foodbank. We’ll be encouraging people to find out more about our work and identify one thing they can do to help keep the foodbank going. Check out our social media channels and website for more information.
Want to volunteer?
We need warehouse volunteers to help weigh, sort and store donated food before it’s made into parcels for people to collect. Watch and share our new video to showcase what a warehouse volunteer may expect.
If you’re interested in volunteering please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!
Summer opening hours
Southend Foodbank is open as usual across the summer period, with the exception of the bank holiday on Monday 28 August. On the bank holiday, Hawkwell distribution centre will be closed for a well-earned summer break, but Ferndale distribution centre will be open as usual.
For more information about our opening times, please visit: https://southend.foodbank.org.uk/locations/
Our next newsletter will be at the beginning of September – have a wonderful summer!
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