During July, as lockdown restrictions have eased, we are pleased to see that the overall numbers of people in crisis who visit the food bank is reducing. During July for the first time, we have seen the numbers falling to nearer pre-pandemic levels.
As the practical pressures of running the food bank have eased, and are nowhere near as difficult as previously, there has been opportunity to look at improvements to what we do. One of our longer term objectives is to develop the service provided by Rye Food Bank from simply handing out parcels of food to proactively helping find solutions for our clients’ problems so that they can get out of crisis.
Earlier this year food bank managers Chris Emson and Bob Harper introduced virtual advice sessions so that clients are able to ask a trained expert consultant about problems with benefits. This helpful service, on demand during food bank opening hours, has contributed to the solution of problems for some while others have returned to employment which is of course very good news.
With the lowering of restrictions we are reducing routine deliveries. We are asking existing clients who are unable to pick up from the food bank in the Lower Baptist Hall on Cinque Ports Street to contact us before Tuesday each week for a delivery on Wednesday. A phone call or text with name, address and phone number to 07526 349847, or an email with the same information to ryefoodbank@gmail.com, secures a delivery on Wednesday. If we don’t hear from clients we won’t be making a delivery.
We know that people can unexpectedly and quickly find themselves in difficulty for all sorts of reasons, and we’re always here to help. In the first instance just come into the food bank between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesdays. We can provide immediate assistance with food, and have advisors who can provide help with benefits, housing and a range of other problems. We’re here to respond to crises and to help clients move forward.
Thank you to everyone who donates to us however large or small, everything is greatly appreciated. If you are are a gardener with any surplus fruit or vegetables we would love to receive anything you can’t use.
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 please just come in to see us on Wednesdays between 1pm and 3pm.
Image Credits: Mags Ivatts , Rye Food Bank .