For the last few weeks the feeling among volunteers at Rye Foodbank has been that we are waiting for the perfect storm.
The national news of the sharp increase in the cost of living, rising fuel prices, rising food prices and an overall squeeze on household expenses generally have given us reason to anticipate a significant increase in demand. But so far, perhaps surprisingly, this hasn’t happened.
Rye Foodbank is a well managed operation. We monitor all our activity closely, and in most cases have relationships with all of our clients. Each client who visits is welcomed, spoken to and invited to share details of their situation. This enables us to identify areas where it is possible to offer different types of help.
While expecting to see an overall rise in the number of people attending the food bank – which hasn’t happened – what we have seen is an increase in the transient nature of those attending. So that one week suddenly we have 25 more new clients and the following week 25 fewer. It’s a bit beguiling as to why this is. It could be that new big bills haven’t hit the doormat quite yet.
We continue to develop our support services and it has made a noticeable difference that we are able to help solve practical problems with benefits and other welfare issues. Due to the consistent efforts of Teresa Andrews, our welfare benefits specialist from HARC who attends Rye Foodbank each week, many complex problems have been solved.
We also receive excellent welfare support from Gill Sutton, our family support worker, who manages to resolve very difficult housing problems for families.
We are preparing to cope with whatever may be coming. We have some confidence that, due to the wonderful support of the Rye and district community, we will be able to cope with a sharp increase in demand.
It is of course important that our supporters and benefactors continue to help us bring relief to those most in need.
If you, or anyone you know are in need of help, please contact us. If you are provided with food you would then be able to spend your money on paying bills. Just come. You don’t need a referral or a voucher.
We are open every Wednesday at the Baptist church hall, Cinque Ports Street from 1pm until 3pm. All are welcome.
You can email ryefoodbank@gmail.com. Phone us on 07526 349847.
Monetary donations can be sent to Rye Foodbank at Barclays Bank, sort code 20-54-25, account number 83501116, through the Jempson Foundation or cheques to Rye Foodbank, c/o 24 North Salts, Rye. If you donate via the Jempson Foundation and are a taxpayer, gift aid can be applied, thereby increasing the value of the donation by 25% at no cost to the donor. If you make a bank transfer, please do send us a message (via ryefoodbank@gmail.com) so we know who it is from and can send a receipt, if required.
Image Credits: Mags Ivatts .