Emergency: 07749 322 291
Email: help@exmouthfoodbank.org.uk
September was a busy month for the team at the Food Bank. In total we distributed 331 parcels that provided food for 845 people, which is sadly our second highest month of demand on record. We have seen a surge in families being referred to us, many struggling with recent increases in the local rental market as well as having to pay for items such as school uniform at the start of term.
On a positive note our links to local agencies, GP surgeries, social services and schools are working well so that we can step in and provide emergency support just when it is needed. In addition, our ‘out of hours’ parcels held by many organisations and churches in and around Exmouth, are enabling us to reach those in the community who may initially be hesitant to make contact with the Food Bank. During September 24 of these parcels were distributed which is three times the normal demand.
Alexandra House in Exmouth provides accommodation to people at risk of homelessness. They have 23 supported living flats and guide individuals to navigate the benefits system and access appropriate health services. The support workers frequently refer clients to us for food but they struggle with those who arrive at the house at weekends with nothing.
We received a request for help and a plan was hatched! A stock cupboard containing emergency food items supplied by Exmouth Food Bank was put in place. Individuals can access this when they first come to Alexandra House and, after being assessed, can be referred on to us if needed. We will liaise with the support workers to monitor the impact of the project and will replenish the items as required.
Richard Allen, President of Budleigh Lions Club, together with some Budleigh Lions visited the Food Bank this month to present us with a generous cheque for £1,000. Globally the Lions Club has identified five areas of need that they want to focus their energies on, one of which is addressing hunger.
Budleigh Lions have long been active friends and supporters of Exmouth Food Bank. They frequently run campaigns to provide us with items of food that we are running short of. It was lovely to be able to show some of their members around so that they could understand first-hand how the Food Bank works and chat to some of our volunteers.
Our lockup at Littlemead Methodist Church has been cleared in preparation for the Harvest Festival season. A team of volunteers is on hand to do the sorting and dating that is required to ensure that items are distributed in our parcels in date order.
We want to say a big THANK YOU to Withycombe Raleigh Primary School and to St Peter’s Budleigh Primary School who between them have donated over 1,000 food items. This is on top of large donations that we have also received from local churches including Budleigh Baptist Church, Exmouth Coastal Churches, Glenorchy and Exmouth Methodist Church. We know that there is more to come and really appreciate all of your support.
