Rye’s food bank team has to comply with stringent safety procedures, especially social distancing, when in the confined space for storage and packing in the Baptist Hall everything is prepared for collection a week in advance.
This week we had all the food parcels packed and ready for opening at 1pm on Wednesday and it sometimes seems amazing that all the hard work and activity is only for a two hour opening slot. But during that two hours we distributed 1,038 kg of food to feed 69 adults and 71 children.
Many coming for the first time will start by apologising, saying how sorry they are that they are having to ask for help. Often being referred to Rye Food Bank is a last resort and, for some, not easy to accept. Here is an example of some of the reasons given for coming:
“I missed an interview by five minutes with the Universal Credit people, and I’ve been sanctioned and without money for two weeks. This is why I’ve asked to come today, and I phoned them up beforehand and told them as well, but they didn’t accept it.”
When the cupboard is empty
“I wouldn’t have any [food] yeah. No, because I haven’t got the money you see. I’ve only just claimed it. It’s not filling up the holes in the cupboard. I really haven’t got any food there.”
“I knew I couldn’t really afford to get a car, but it’s a catch 22 thing really. I need a car to get a job, because I can’t really get anywhere without a car, but then I can’t afford a car. Basically, if I didn’t have to do the car then I would have been alright. The gearbox. I would have been alright.”
Donating to the food bank is one of the most important ways you can help your community at this time. We need to ensure we have adequate stocks of food to meet the demand, especially when furlough ends.
Thank you to everyone in our community who donates to us. Everything is appreciated no matter how large or small.
Contact details for Rye Food Bank
Phone: 07526 349847 or email: ryefoodbank@gmail.com
We are open at the Baptist hall, behind the church in Cinque Ports Street in Rye on Wednesdays from 9am for donations and the food bank is open from 1pm until 3pm. The Rye Food Bank phone number is not manned all the time, but you can leave a message and we will respond. Email is better and this is monitored several times during the day and in the evening.
Donations make a big difference
Monetary donations can be sent to the Bexhill Food Bank Rye Branch at Barclays Bank, sort code 20-54-25, account number 83501116, through the Jempson Foundation or cheques to Rye Food Bank 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.
If you need help from Rye Food Bank, contact Rother District Citizens Advice (CAB) on 01424 215055; email: help@rotherdistrictcab.org.uk, or the Hastings Advice & Representation Centre (HARC) on 0333 344 0681; email: info@harcuk.com.
Image Credits: m.ivatts .