MORE FUNDING URGENTLY NEEDED TO SUPPORT NEW FOOD BANK INITIATIVE
More funding is urgently needed as a pioneering project to enable food bank visitors to choose and buy their own food is rolled out in Hackney.
More funding is urgently needed as a pioneering project to enable food bank visitors to choose and buy their own food is rolled out in Hackney.
Phone to Food involves giving credit to people referred to Hackney Foodbank, which they can use to buy food at participating stores and markets. It’s a more efficient, lower-cost way to operate but, with poverty increasing, the food bank urgently needs more financial donations in order to run the initiative.
Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, explained:
“There are so many benefits to handing out credit rather than food parcels. It means our visitors can choose what they want to eat rather than being given a parcel with standard contents. They can buy fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables instead of just long-life packets and tins and that brings real health benefits. Our current system of handing out parcels doesn’t accommodate well enough for Hackney’s diverse community. With Phone to Food, they can choose Kosher, Halal and food from around the world.
“For the food bank this new system also brings real efficiencies and cost savings. By giving out credit, we can reduce the man-hours and expense of collecting, sorting, storing and distributing food. I’d urge the public to donate money to enable us to meet the high demand we’re experiencing.”
The initiative has been running as a pilot scheme but has proven so successful the food bank now plans to roll it out across all of their distribution centres. Food bank visitors who have smartphones can opt into the scheme or choose to receive a traditional food parcel.
Among the places the credit can be redeemed are Ridley Road Market and local branches of Nisa and the food bank is keen to hear from other stores willing to sign up.
Phone to Food is a collaboration between Hackney Foodbank and Face Donate. It’s thought that Hackney is the first food bank to adopt the scheme.
Demand for Hackney Foodbank has more than doubled since before the pandemic and donations are half what they were this time last year. The cost of living crisis is leaving many unable to afford even the basics like food and heating and the food bank urgently needs more donations if they’re to meet demand.
To donate, visit here.