Help feed local people in crisis!

Visit Sainsbury’s in Wimbledon, on Saturday, May 26th and you’ll find Wimbledon foodbank collecting all kinds of non-perishable food from the public to feed local people in crisis. Supermarket collections are one of the main ways that the foodbank is stocked and with the foodbank busier than ever The Trussell Trust is asking people to give generously: “The current economic climate means more and more people are struggling to put food on the table, so we really need local citizens to give what they can to help” says Revd. Marcus Bennett, Wimbledon foodbank manager. “It’s not just people on low incomes who are feeling the pinch at the moment, increased redundancy and fewer jobs are having a real impact on local people and we’re seeing more people turning to the foodbank for help.”

Wimbledon foodbank launched last November and has fed over 417 people and given away 4 tonnes of food, of which 700 kilos was in April alone. The single biggest reason that people are referred to food bank is benefit delay (29%) followed by low income (19%). Other reasons include delayed wages, domestic violence, sickness, debt. All those who receive emergency food are referred by frontline professionals such as doctors, social workers and Citizens Advice Bureau.

The foodbank aims to help people through short term crisis by providing emergency food parcels. Wimbledon foodbank centre also provides support and signposting to help combat the long term problem.

Thank you to Sainsbury’s and Zipcar who partner with us to make the food collection work!

Based on information supplied by shahin ahamed.