Food Bank proves its worth

This article is reproduced from the latest issue of “The Pendulum” (St Mary’s parish magazine) by kind permission of the editor, as we think it will be of interest to a wider audience.

Over the Christmas period there were 25 families, 90 people in all, for whom we were able to supply food from the Rye branch of the Bexhill Food Bank. The numbers have also been higher than usual since then.The following scenario gives an idea of a family who might visit us.

A crisis arises and an already meagre income is disrupted leading to a shortfall and a real problem with feeding the family. Karen has three children. As Joe, her eldest child, has free school meals during term time she has been given two Food Bank vouchers to cover the holidays. Usually she would not have used them’ but now she plucks up her courage and goes to the food bank taking her baby with her. It is located near the station and car park.Taking a deep breath, she goes in and finds herself in a large, warm room.

“Hullo, how lovely to see you, do come in, would you like a cup of tea or coffee? What a dear little baby!” The welcome is rather overwhelming but so far, so good.

“Do come and sit down” and she is led to a quieter part of the room where she gives her voucher to a volunteer and discusses her immediate problem. Karen explains that she would like food and toiletries for her and her partner and their three children aged five and three years old and a baby who is just four months. She says that they have cooking facilities including a microwave, they have no special dietary needs and there is a family dog. All this is put on a form and passed to two ladies who scurry away into the food store. Karen and her new friend continue to chat and she is given the names of other agencies who might be able to help her. She is also told a little about the Trussell Trust which runs the food banks, including that it is a Christian organisation.

Meanwhile in the store the volunteers have found the form listing the quantities of food to be given to a family of two adults and three children. Sam is four months old and stocks of baby food for his age group have been given to the food bank recently and Karen is asked if she would like some. She is also asked what size nappies he uses and she is offered other baby products. All the goods are weighed and put into supermarket bags. A friend arrives to collect her in a car and she leaves, relieved and grateful with the knowledge that she can come back the following week

When Karen gets home, she unpacks the bags with the two older children. All the goods are in packets or cans for easy storage and they all have a long shelf life. There is cereal, soup, baked beans, fish, meat, vegetables, rice pudding, a little steamed pudding each, sugar, potatoes, plenty of rice and pasta, tea, coffee, squash, UHT milk. There is also jam, peanut butter, biscuits and a packet of sweets. Toiletries include toilet rolls, toothpaste and shampoo. Spot the dog has two cans of dog food

This is how we hope those who come to the Rye Food Bank perceive the experience, as we are very aware that problems can arise with frightening rapidity for anyone and we aim to help everyone as we too would wish to be helped in a similar situation. There is no need for anyone in Rye to go hungry. There are prescribed amounts of food for different sizes of families and there is also a Treats Box which contains products which cannot be given due to a short shelf life but can be offered as an extra. Vouchers are given by various agencies including the different churches and in real need, one can be given at the Wednesday afternoon opening of the Food Bank from 1pm to 3pm at the Baptist church. Donations of food and toiletries can be given at the various churches in the town, together with the branches of Jempson’s in Rye and Peasmarsh, and will make a real difference.

(Courtesy of The Pendulum, St Mary’s parish magazine)

photo: Kenneth Bird