Food bank’s star volunteers

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The volunteer team at Rye Food Bank, led by Chris Emson and Bob Harper, are all hard working and willing to go that extra mile for those less well off members of our community.

Amber Carr ready to load up with Chris Emson and Ash Madden in background

Each week we have about thirty home deliveries to make to those who are unable to collect their food parcel because they are housebound due to illness, are shielding, have no transport or in some cases cannot afford the round trip fare to Rye. For some in the outlying villages public transport is too difficult and expensive.

We are so fortunate to have volunteer delivery drivers who literally go extra miles because they deliver food parcels to the people who are unable to come to Rye to collect.

Andy and Nikki Stuart have been delivering food bank parcels each week since last summer.  They make use of a vehicle kindly donated by Rye and Community District Transport.  Nikki says she enjoys volunteering during lockdown as it gives her something interesting to do!  Plus they enjoy driving about making deliveries where people are happy to expect them.

Debbie Curd has also been delivering since about the middle of last year and makes use of her own vehicle and petrol.  A greatly appreciated and generous gesture each week from Debbie.

Debbie Curd delivering for the food bank

Amber Carr also delivers in her own vehicle and at her own expense.  Just as well she has a big vehicle with plenty of room!  Amber loads up and drives off each week with her list of deliveries as all the drivers do.  Amber says she is motivated to volunteer by wanting to help and is happy to be part of the fantastic work done by Rye Food Bank.  Amber also enjoys the waves and smiley faces.

Our drivers, as well as the staff who carry out all the other important jobs that ensure smooth running of the food bank and adequate stocks, are greatly appreciated. Without volunteers Rye Food Bank wouldn’t exist.

Thank you to everyone in our community who donates to us. Everything is appreciated no matter how large or small.

Contact details for Rye Food Bank

Phone: 07526 349847 or email: ryefoodbank@gmail.com

We are open at the Baptist hall, behind the church in Cinque Ports Street in Rye on Wednesdays from 9am for donations and the food bank is open from 1pm until 3pm. The Rye Food Bank phone number is not manned all the time, but you can leave a message and we will respond. Email is better and this is monitored several times during the day and in the evening.

Donations make a big difference

Monetary donations can be sent to the Bexhill Food Bank Rye Branch at Barclays Bank, sort code 20-54-25, account number 83501116, through 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.  If you make a bank transfer please do send us a message (via ryefoodbank@gmail.com) so we know who it is from and can send a receipt, if required.

If you need help from Rye Food Bank, contact Rother District Citizens Advice (CAB) on 01424 215055; email: help@rotherdistrictcab.org.uk, or the Hastings Advice &  Representation Centre (HARC) on 0333 344 0681; email: info@harcuk.com.

Image Credits: Mags Ivatts .

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1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks should also go to the many lovely people who deliver TO Rye Food Bank. Week in, week out, and in all sorts of weather we’re grateful for everyone’s help.

    Special thanks go to Trevor Clarke & Shaun Mitchell from Jempsons, Martin Blincow and his team from The Mermaid, Karen Jeffrey from the KitKat Cafe, Anne Catt from Salts Farm Shop, everyone at Pett WI, Debbie Curd (who collects as well as delivers) and the kind people who provide vehicles including Hands of Hope Charity and Rebekah Gilbert. Plus all the individuals who make personal donations, large and small.

    We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without your help. Thank you.

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