Demand for children’s food parcels at shocking levels
Families seeking the support Stratford upon Avon’s Foodbank have reached shocking levels. The average number emergency food parcels distributed to children by the charity each month has risen to 117, compared to 64 for the same period last year. The Foodbank is so concerned about the many struggling Stratford families they are meet each week that they are partnering with a number of organisations across the town to create a package of support to help parents and carers during the summer months.
Stratford Foodbank Manager Marion Homer said,
“The increasing demand for our service continues to be a major concern. We are providing 83% more children’s parcels this year than last – in a seemingly prosperous town like Stratford on Avon there are many families who do not have enough money to cover the basics – this is totally unacceptable.
“In 2017 we saw Universal Credit roll out in Stratford, this was accompanied by an increase in foodbank demand by 57% . Two years on and we are still seeing a staggering rise in need. Many families in receipt of Universal Credit have one or both partners in employment, but wages are simply not covering the basics of family life. We believe that advance payments, the loans offered by the DWP during the five weeks wait for Universal Credit, are pushing many local families into hardship.
“Unfortunately we know there is potential for this situation to worsen during the school holidays. We see a rise in demand at the end of the summer as families prepare for what can be a costly time preparing for the new school year. That is why we are partnering with organisations in town who provide additional support to families, to ensure we are signposting effectively to them.
“As a recently elected member of ‘Stratford Churches Together’ we are proud to support the churches in our town as they launch the ‘Make Lunch Club’, a free meals summer holiday project. We are also working closely with the Uniform Bank, the Baby Bank and the Caterpillar Café who provide fresh food to families in need.”
Many of the churches in Stratford offer community eating opportunities – from soup and a roll at the St Gregory’s to pasta lunch and brunch at the Methodist Church. The Foodbank are collating these community eating opportunities in one place which can be here . The information contained within this form is based on information supplied by the Churches in Stratford – if there are any errors or omission please email [email protected]
For more information on support available to families in Stratford see below.
‘Make Lunch’ Club
The Make Lunch club will run every Monday and Thursday during the school holidays, from 11.30am – 1.15pm. Volunteers at the United Reformed Church on Rother Street CV37 6LU will provide a free hot meal and fun-filled activities for families finding it difficult to manage when their children are home from school and there are extra mouths to feed. The scheme is directed at primary school children (5-11) but parents and siblings (even those of secondary school age) are more than welcome to attend. All children need to be pre-registered and should be accompanied by a parent or carer. The URC does not want to turn any family away so pre booking is essential. For more information speak to your child’s school or contact the Project Leaders:
Ann Jones [email protected] 01789 266177
Linda Horrocks [email protected] 01789 70971
To download a registration form click here word pdf
To read a letter to parents and carers about the scheme click here word pdf
To see the projects promotional flyer click here
Stratford Uniform Bank
Another essential support service available for hard pressed Stratford families is the Uniform Bank. Set up entirely as a volunteer run organisation the Uniform Bank is a non means tested organisation providing new and preloved uniform for families living in and around Stratford upon Avon. The Uniform Bank works to ensure all local children receive equal opportunities to access schooling without financial restrictions or boundaries. As well as helping families in financial difficulties the Uniform Bank hopes to keep as many uniform items as possible from being thrown into landfill. To apply directly to the Uniform Bank please complete the form here. Families can also be referred by Citizens Advice, the Foodbank, and many other support workers through Facebook or by emailing [email protected].
Caterpillar Café
Stratford Foodbank is also proud to support community initiative the ‘Caterpillar Café’ which is open every Friday from 10am – 2pm at the Tyler House Hub, Tyler Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6TY. As well as providing a valuable space for parents and carers to relax whilst pre-school children are entertained with toys, crafts and snacks, the cafe also provides support to struggling families in the town. Their services include:
A ‘Pay what you Like Stall’ Featuring a selection of donated brand new and pre-loved toys, books, toiletries, handmade items and food.
Caterpillar Café Food Parcel These parcels contain a selection of fresh food (close to or just past the best before date) and are an excellent complement to the Foodbank’s nutritionally balanced emergency food parcels which use tinned and packaged items. All families in receipt of a food parcel can be referred to the Caterpillar Café for a fresh food parcel – just ask a Foodbank volunteer when you visit one of our distribution sessions.
Free children’s birthday parties These parties are designed for families on limited incomes – to register please email [email protected] for more information
Stratford’s ‘Little Bird’ Baby Bank
Stratford’s Baby Bank supports families in Stratford upon Avon and surrounding areas providing essential & non-essential items for baby, child and Mum to be, which are 80% donated. These items are then gifted to families through referrals via G.Ps, Health visitors, The Food Bank, Midwives, Support workers, Social Workers and Self referrals. They also offer an exchange service where families can exchange items as and when they need them. One of the aims of the Babybank is to keep as many items as possible from being thrown into landfill as well as helping families in crisis due to Universal credit/in work poverty.
The Baby bank can be can be contacted through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SUAlittlebirdbabybank/ or by calling 07963 324205, or emailing [email protected]
Community Eating Opportunities
Many of the churches in Stratford offer community eating opportunities – from soup and a roll at the St Gregory’s to pasta lunch and brunch at the Methodist Church. The Foodbank are collating these community eating opportunities in one place which can be here (create link). The information contained within this form is based on information supplied by the Churches in Stratford – if there are any errors or omission please email [email protected]
Marion Homer | Foodbank Manager
