We have seen demand increase over the past few weeks and sadly have had new customers who are also homeless. This happened due to job loss where accommodation was provided as part of the job. Luckily a temporary home in a static caravan was found at the last minute.
Many of our clients have housing problems and Chris Emson has successfully negotiated the services of Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC) at Rye Food Bank on Wednesdays starting from December 16. This service will help clients, many of whom have problems with housing and the benefits system, and signpost other services as necessary. Teresa Andrews from HARC will be available for consultation by appointment from next week.
Thank you to everyone who generously donates to us. At present we are pleased to say we have a good foundation stock of all food basics. We are able to meet the current demand and are prepared in the event of further increase.
How you can help Rye Food Bank this Christmas
We are planning special festive provisions for our clients which will be distributed on December 23. We are in close contact with those families who depend on Rye Food Bank and have plans in place to provide the best we can for the parents and children. In order to ensure we are able to provide everyone with the cakes, puddings and children’s treats that we need it is best that we buy them as we need to keep our stocks balanced.
Donating money to Rye Food Bank is the best way you can help Rye families who are struggling at this time of year.
Christmas opening hours
We will be open as normal each week as normal except for Wednesday, December 30.
Winter fuel allowance
If you are concerned about affording to keep warm this winter you can find help here https://warmeastsussex.org.uk/
If you are someone who receives a winter fuel payment but does not need it, a season of goodwill gesture could be to donate it to Rye Food Bank. Such a donation could make all the difference to a struggling family. Every penny donated is spent on providing food to those in crisis.
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 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 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@haruk.com.
Image Credits: m.ivatts , M. Ivatts .