Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank to distribute almost 200 bags of ‘Christmas cheer’ as pleas for help grow

Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank is getting ready to distribute almost 200 bags of Christmas cheer to the town’s most vulnerable residents.

Over the past 12 months, the charity, based at the Methodist Church in South Street, has received more than 1,500 referrals and fed the equivalent of 3,465 people.

The organisation, founded over a decade ago, has also provided fuel top-ups for 185 people who use pre-payment meters – and is gearing up for more demand for its services this winter.

Chair Bill Macdonald said: “We are only able to meet that high level of demand thanks to the amazing and generous support we receive from our community. For example, during harvest [festival] a total of 13 primary schools, as well as many churches, collected food items for us.

“As well as having to cope with increased demand this year, we are again planning to give out nearly 200 bags of ‘Christmas Cheer’, distributed by agencies such as the Salvation Army to families in need on our behalf.

“So, all the donations we receive are really important to us as we gear up to meet the needs of the busy winter period.”

Once again the food bank has organised a “reverse Advent calendar” on its Facebook page so supporters can donate groceries and toiletries.

Bill said: “We’re also quietly confident that our three-day event at Tesco at the end of November will bring in lots of badly needed food items.

“It’s incredible that we have always been able to give food to everyone referred to us, and we thank every single person who pops an item into the donation box when doing their shopping at the supermarket. Please keep the food items coming – it’s really appreciated and much needed.”

In the last financial year, the charity needed almost £90,000 to operate.

Bill explained: “Financial giving is also vital for us to continue in our work. As well as paying the salaries of our staff and meeting transport and storage costs, financial donations enable us to buy food items not donated.

“They also fund supermarket vouchers, allowing those in hardship to choose some items for themselves – something we think is very important and only possible through the generous support we receive.

“In some cases, we’ve also been able to help people struggling with the costs of gas and electricity by putting money onto their pre-payment meters.”

Bill said the generosity shown to the charity was “breathtaking”, but there was always more the food bank wanted to do to tackle the causes of poverty as well as its consequences.

He said: “For some time we’ve been concerned that simply giving food is not enough, that more needed to be done to help people deal with the issues that have contributed to their food poverty in the first place.

“For that reason, we’ve been happy to enter into a partnership with East Herts Citizens Advice to provide an adviser at the food bank for our clients.

“Part-funded by Hertfordshire Community Foundation, the adviser is at the food bank every Thursday to offer free, confidential, face-to-face and telephone advice on issues such as debt, benefits, housing and more to help move people on from their difficult situations.

“Partnerships like this can really make a difference for people in difficult circumstances and so, on the same note, we’ve recently begun to work with Clarion Housing to set up a monthly pop-up advice hub for housing issues.

“We’re also keen to tap into the massive expertise available within our local business community and are always grateful for any offer of help on things like training provision.”

Bill, who in January will step down as chair after five years at the helm, added: “I’m immensely proud of our staff and volunteers, who remain upbeat and enthusiastic, but also hugely grateful for the love and practical support we receive from our community that we can then pass on to those in need.

“I’m sure we all hope to reach a point when food banks are no longer needed in our rich country, but until then we are most grateful for your prayers and the financial support that we depend on to meet local need.”

To donate to the food bank or volunteer, see www.bishopsstortfordfoodbank.com.