A Peckham-based food bank is handing out food parcels to struggling families across the borough, while trying to “end the need for food banks”.
Southwark Foodbank, based at Pecan, 121a Peckham Hight Street, say demand for their emergency food packages is rising as the cost of living crisis intensifies.
Genevieve Osei-Kuffuor, Foodbank Manager said: “People have to choose between heating and eating. We’ve had more referrals of new people and are seeing more first-time vouchers [given out].”
She said one unexpected bill had been enough to tip people into food poverty and, in some instances, clients were too cash-strapped to heat the food they were given.
Southwark Foodbank, which receives its donations from the public, private companies and charitable groups, is part of the Trussell Trust’s ‘Pathfinding Programme’.
‘Pathfinder foodbanks’ work with with local government and their clients to identify policies and strategies that address food poverty’s underlying causes.
The team say low-income families are particularly vulnerable because they sometimes can’t afford rent arrears, high energy costs and debt repayments.
Donors send food to the warehouse at 121a Peckham High Street, where Nick Ford and his team of volunteers process and sort the donations.
Based on clients’ dietary requirements, the team create bespoke food parcels, which are distributed across Peckham, Camberwell and Bermondsey.
The parcels are then given out to centres at St. George’s in Camberwell, City Hope Church and Bermondsey Methodist Church, both in Bermondsey, and Peckham Methodist Church.
Most of the centres have a café alongside the foodbank session – a place where people can sit and chat over a warm drink.
Here, food bank workers speak with service users, directing them to other resources such as employment services, women’s services or ‘HOurbank’ a skill sharing group.
But Chris Price, CEO at Pecan, which hosts Southwark Foodbank, said there was still a stigma attached to foodbanks: “People don’t always want to talk about being poor. People don’t always want to be the face of poverty.”
Southwark Foodbank website: https://southwark.foodbank.org.uk/
Find out more about Pecan’s services here: https://www.pecan.org.uk/
Pecan’s May newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/pecan.org.uk/pecan-may-newsletter-5418941
Donate to Pecan’s RideLondon fundraiser: https://ridelondon.enthuse.com/pf/rachael-bourke
Regular donation page: https://www.pecan.org.uk/donate/