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The Foodbank makes an urgent call for support in response to high levels of hardship and isolation

28th August 2024

We are urging the people of  Stratford-upon-Avon to support their community this Harvest time, following the Trussell Trust’s ‘Hunger in the UK’ report that reveals 1 in 4 people who access food banks are experiencing high levels of social isolation due to financial hardship.

Kate Morris, Foodbank Manager at Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank says that any support local people can offer – from volunteering to donations or raising awareness – will make a big difference for the people accessing the foodbank.

Kate says:

“This Harvest season, we are reaching out to our local community to help support our work to break the burden of isolation on those in hardship, so that no one feels alone. For many of the people who receive our support, walking through the doors of the
food bank is one of the few social interactions they will have that week.

We have become increasingly aware that we are not just providing them with food but also the hope of a welcome and connection. We need the help of the community during Harvest to continue to address hunger in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. to provide the warmth of hospitality to those who have nothing or no one else to lean on.”

Over the last year, food banks in The Trussell Trust network have experienced record levels of need as more people struggle to afford the essentials and it is likely that this situation will only worsen this winter – so this Harvest is a particularly important time for local communities to support the foodbank.

Locals are urged to help in many ways including:

  1. Donating non-perishable goods, such as canned food, UHT juice, squash, and hygiene products.
  2. Financial contributions, which allow the charity to purchase essential items and maintain its operations efficiently.
  3. Volunteering their time and skills, allowing them to directly engage with the people the foodbank serves, making connections and breaking down barriers of isolation.
  4. Raising awareness about the Harvest campaign at church, on social media, within community groups, or among friends and family.

Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, says: “We know that many people turn to food banks as a last resort and feel embarrassed that they need to ask for help but food banks across the country are there to offer a warm welcome, provide essential items and help people access services that can lift them out of poverty.

“By coming together and supporting Stratford upon Avon Foodbank this Harvest and through to winter you are not just offering a meal – you are extending a hand of friendship, combating isolation, and helping to provide an environment where everyone is valued.”

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