Removing barriers to support and providing help when people need it, at the right time and in the right place, has meant Rye Foodbank has created access to vital support for those in our community experiencing hardship.
Rye Foodbank is unique in the area, being independent and wholly staffed by volunteers with no cost overheads. We spend about £1,000 per week on food stocks for our clients, mostly provided at cost price from Jempson’s who are very generous to Rye Foodbank. Other overheads to run the food bank are pretty much zero as running costs are donated. Our teams of about 20 staff are all volunteers. That’s amazing when you consider that as of end of September 2024 we have fed 3,593 people. Our premises are donated by the Baptist church. Our clients are all local. They are members of the local community being supported by the local community.
As well as meeting immediate need for those in food poverty, we provide services to help people solve their problems and become independent. During opening hours a resident benefits advisor is present, as well as a welfare budgeting advisor, a debt counsellor and a live link to Rother District Council for housing issues. There are many success stories of people helped to overcome awful difficulty.
We are entirely dependent on the generous donations made by the Rye community, be it a business, hotel, farm or individuals and households. Please be assured of our deep appreciation to all our benefactors for donations large or small.
We are experiencing an increase in demand at present. Supporting those in your community who are struggling is one of the best things you can do at this time as winter is approaching and hardship for many shows no sign of easing.
Every penny you donate is spent directly on those in need. Rye Foodbank spends no monies on anything other than food for needy clients.
Donations of food may be brought to the Baptist Hall before 11am on Wednesday morning – fresh produce is welcome. To donate money our account name is Rye Foodbank account number 83501116 sort code 20-54-25.
Rye Foodbank is open every Wednesday from noon to 2pm, located in the rear hall of the Baptist Church 28 Cinque Ports Street Rye. Contact us by email ryefoodbank@gmail.com or by phone 07526 349847. Our website is at http://www.ryefoodbank.com
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
Not just The Rye Community. The diaspora, now far and wide, retain an interest and some even like to give something back. Some remember what things used to be like. It wasn’t all cheery smiles and full bellies, even then.