Hello all,
I hope all are well, keeping hydrated in this gorgeous sunshine – with sun cream of course!
Unfortunately we are seeing greater numbers than ever before, Summer is often our busiest time of the year, even more so with the Half Term holiday’s and the 6 weeks School holiday – to which the number of clients we see use our service increases greatly.
In the summer, we are assisting more families than ever before. With the increase of household bills at the start of the new financial year, the overall cost of inflation is affecting so many individuals and families, from the increasing cost of childcare costs, electricity, gas and food prices, fuel, insurances and even the decline in interest rates. Over the summer when all children stay at home, the costs of food are felt even more by families are just about managing, or for those that work, the continuing need of childcare with the costs incurred. Many rely on Free School Meals during term time and are left without anything in the holidays- a stark reality that many families rely on those meals for their children's main meal of the day. Let alone the added stress of being able to afford new school uniform for the September start.
This is why we reach out to all our wonderful donors, sponsors, fundraisers and those that are able to help with donations small or large, to ask for your help and support during this testing time and a time where we as a vital service become the face of hope for those in need and facing food poverty.
We are very grateful to be able to have the support of Give Today, a wonderful charity supporting platform where you can purchase donations directly and they will then be delivered to us within the week of purchase. If you are looking to potentially fundraise financially, this is a brilliant way to be able to support us with your donation!
https://givetoday.co.uk/eppingforestfoodbank/ - Our general shopping list!
Last summer, we provided vital food parcels to a whopping 2,844 people. 1,579 Adults, 1,295 Children throughout our District – this is not including data from our FISH project.
Demand has continued to rise so we project that this summer we will distribute over 1,500 parcels alone.
Which is why we need all the help we can get and are reaching out to our community for support with donations.
Due to the continued success of using a booking system online this year, we will be utilising this once again - we are unable to offer collection of donations due to the busy period unfortunately.
If you are able to help us with donations, please contact me directly so we are able to book in a slot appropriate to deliver.
We also offer warehouse tours and workshops in our learning zone for any and all community groups, churches, schools and more. If this is of interest, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you require any assistance.
Want to be able to help, but unsure how?
Next time you go to the supermarket, why not buy an item or two extras from the list on the poster above and bring it to the church on Sunday or during the week? The donation boxes are just inside the church doors. Alternatively, some stores will have a specified basket that go to EFFB.
As you can see from the list above they are looking for cans, tins and packets of food and cleaning items, but please no fresh or refrigerated food, as donations will be stored in the church and we do not have a fridge!
You can also make a financial donation by going to https://eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/donate/ or if you prefer to send them cash or a cheque, made payable to ‘EFFB marked ‘foodbank’ on the reverse, to you can then send it to: 38c Chigwell Lane, Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3NY.
If you are willing occasionally to drive the donations from the church to the Trust then Amy would love to hear
from you by text, phone or email:
Amy Perridge
Church & Communities Engagement Officer
07395542115
amy@eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk
It is only a few minutes’ drive from the church.
Last but not least we would like to thank everyone who has dropped food off at the church or made generous financial donations over the last year - and we hope you will keep up the good work! If you would like to find out more about the Trust and their work their website is https://eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk/
If you wish to volunteer, please check the volunteering section on the website, alternatively you can email info@eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk