At present, demand for help from Rye Food Bank is not showing any sign of easing, with new referrals being made by other agencies and emergency calls out of hours from families in crisis. This week we had three emergency calls and five new referrals and we filled 65 orders, representing help for 102 adults and 88 children.
Many of our clients, losing their income due to the lockdown, have resorted to claiming state benefits for the first time in their working life. Hardship is worsened by the long time it takes to process new claims. Trussell Trust have started a campaign asking the government to reduce this waiting time. You can join the campaign here: Five weeks is too long to wait.
Now that Covid-19 lockdown is showing signs of easing, we are planning new working practices for when our clients can come and collect their parcels and we can stop delivering.
We will maintain safe distancing routines, pack food parcels in advance and where possible have clients collect from the door.
Donating to Rye Food Bank is one of the most important ways you can support your community at this time. Thanks to everyone who is helping us meet this increased demand.
Please keep your donations coming. This week we need more meat products (corned beef, stew, hot dogs), vegan and vegetarian products, vegetables, soya milk and fruit. We are low on supplies of toothpaste.
Donations of non-perishable, in-date tinned food can be received at the back of the Baptist Church in Cinque Ports Street on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am until about 3pm and are very welcome.
Monetary donations can be sent to the Bexhill Food Bank Rye Branch at Barclays Bank, sort code 20-54-25, account number 83501116, 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.
You can contact Rye Food Bank at Ryefoodbank@gmail.com.
Image Credits: Mags Ivatts .