Emergency: 07749 322 291
Email: help@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk
During the past three months Exmouth Food Bank has been distributing 60 parcels a week, which is a slight reduction in demand for our services when compared to the same period last year. This is good news and can in part be explained by the support for families that schools, churches and partner agencies, such as Open Door, provide during the summer holidays which is always gratefully received.
In addition we have seen a change in the demographic of our clients and are experiencing an influx of single men and women requiring emergency support with food and housing. We amend the content of our food parcels according to the situation of each individual and can even provide a non-cook option!
The Food Bank relies entirely on the amazing support of the local community and we really appreciate all that you do. However, as the cost of living continues to impact, we are experiencing a noticeable drop both in the amount of food and money that is being donated. Financial donations are down 30% when compared to the same quarter last year, yet we need to purchase £6,000 of stock per month to continue to feed those in need.
We are fortunate that this summer commercial businesses have turned to support the Food Bank. Tesco and Specsavers have each run campaigns to replenish core items we are short of. In addition Rocks kindly donated 420 bottles of additive free squash and Naked Sprout over 4,000 toilet rolls!
Thank you in advance to those of you who will be championing Exmouth Food Bank during this year’s Harvest Festival season. In preparation for an increase in demand for our services during the winter months we are planning to build up our stocks of essential tinned items.
We would be grateful to receive the following tinned items: soup, baked beans and spaghetti hoops, meat meals such as stews, meatballs or curry, cold meats such as ham or corned beef, tuna, fruit, rice pudding and custard.
We can also email you a poster to print and display.
The Food Bank welcomes small deliveries of Harvest Festival donations during our normal sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9am and 3pm at the Salvation Army Hall.
In addition, a team of volunteers from East Devon District Council have kindly offered to collect donations from churches and schools in and around Exmouth on Friday 27 September. If you could make use of their services please contact the Food Bank so that we can schedule a collection on that day. Telephone us on 07787 758511 or email us at: info@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk
Kate from Attitude Hair and Beauty Salon in Exmouth has come up with a brilliant idea that will really help some of our families. Preparations for the start of a new term are a worrying expense for many; to address this Kate has kindly offered to open the salon on a Monday before the start of term to give some youngsters a free back to school haircut. Special vouchers for this event will be distributed by the Food Bank.
Thank you Kate for your thoughtful generosity – you are an absolute star!
