1,461 emergency food parcels given to local people in last year, Epping Forest Foodbank reveals
Epping Forest Foodbank provided 1,461 three day emergency food parcels to local people between April 2018 to March 2019. Of this number, 735 went to children.
The local food bank’s figures feed into a larger national picture with a record increase in food bank use across the UK reported today by the Trussell Trust.
Epping Forest Foodbank is backing calls from the Trussell Trust to ensure the benefits system is able to protect people from poverty.
The figures from Epping Forest Foodbank are a 22% increase on the same period last year. The charity believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with Universal Credit such as the five-week wait; benefit payments and a reduction in available local government and charity organisation support.
Epping Forest Foodbank shares the concerns of other food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network about Universal Credit – it is not the only benefit payment people referred to the food bank have experienced problems with, but the issues faced by local people moving onto the new system are significant. The food bank has needed to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting at least five-weeks for a first Universal Credit payment and who are not able to access support or receiving payments that don’t cover the cost of essentials.
Heather Scholer, food bank manager of Epping Forest Foodbank said:
“No one, and certainly no child within Epping Forest should need a food bank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all. It doesn’t have to be this way - our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty. Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.
“Until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most. We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.”
The running costs for the food bank are raised locally to enable them to continue their work. Costs include warehouse space to sort donated supplies (approx £1,500/month) - the largest monthly outlay, and other overheads like the District Council's charity relief rates (almost £700/annum), utilities and insurances. The food bank welcomes any new offers of help with funding or in-kind giving – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the food bank’s work can find out more at https://eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk/give-help
Epping Forest Foodbank has been providing three days emergency food and support to local people since 2013.
● 15 tonnes of food were donated by the local community between April 2018 – March 2019
● For more info, visit eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk
● Epping Forest Foodbank- is part of the Trussell Trust network. For UK-wide Trussell Trust food bank statistics visit https://www.trusselltrust.org/news-and-blog/latest-stats/ .
20 Jan 21
2020 in Numbers
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Looking back on 2020, it was a tough year for us all. Unfortunately, low income is one of the main reasons people are referred to us at EFFB but in 2020 we saw this rise. The impact of the pandemic left many in financial crisis, increasing the number of families that needed our support. We […]
28 Dec 20
Return to Doorstep Deliveries
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Statement from our Interim Project Manager Dear friends, The safety and health of our volunteers and clients are of paramount importance, and with the news that Epping Forest is moving into Tier 4 we have decided to revert back to a delivery-only service as we did during the first national lockdown. This will mean there […]
24 Dec 20
Merry Christmas
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From everyone at EFFB, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for all of your support this past year, even more so as this year has been trying for everyone. Your support meant that from January to November we were able to provide over 21,000 meals to people in need across Epping Forest. […]
23 Dec 20
Thank You!
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This has been a tough year for everyone. But even in these troubling times, our community has come out to support us in many different ways. As a community, you have donated an amazing 34.9 tons of food and other essentials this year! Every donation made helps local people in crisis, so thank you to […]
20 Dec 20
Christmas Opening Times
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As Christmas approaches, we wanted to make you aware of this year’s opening times for our distribution centres and doorstop deliveries. Monday 21st December 2020 – The Box, Epping – OPEN AS USUAL Wednesday 23rd December 2020 – Hope Centre, Loughton – OPEN AS USUAL Saturday 26th December 2020 – CLOSED Monday 28th December 2020 […]
12 Nov 20
Christmas Appeal 2020
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In the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas, we are expecting to hand out 3,000 meals to local individuals and families in crisis. EFFB relies on donations of both food and money to help them provide this vital service of supporting people facing crisis within our community. Without your goodwill, we would really struggle to […]
1 Sep 20
Changes to our services
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EFFB will be reopening some of our Distribution Centres this week, with social distancing measures in place. Our sessions are as follows; Mondays; The Box, St. John’s Road, Epping, CM16 5DN (3:30pm- 5pm) Opening 7th September Wednesdays; Hope Centre, 201 High Road, Loughton, IG10 1BB (10am -12noon) Opening 2nd September Doorstep delivery service (12noon – […]
28 Aug 20
August Bank Holiday
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Please note that due to the bank holiday we will not be running our doorstep delivery service on Monday 31th August. Our next session will be on Wednesday 2nd September. If you have any questions about our opening times please contact us here. Thank you for your understanding.
20 Aug 20
We’re Moving!
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After 2 years at the Loughton Seedbed Centre, we’ve grown out of our warehouse. We are pleased to announce we have found a new home. From the 7th of September, our address will be; Epping Forest Foodbank, 38c Chigwell Lane, Loughton, IG10 3NY With your continued support, we will continue to help local people in […]
22 Jun 20
It’s our 7th Birthday!
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Epping Forest Foodbank started 7 years ago today as Loughton Foodbank. Since we opened, we have provided over 73,000 meals and other essentials to people in need right across the Epping Forest District. Since 1st April 2020, we have been delivering directly to people all over Epping Forest as we adapt to the challenge Coronavirus […]