Story
We all deserve access to affordable food
Food is vital to physical and mental health and well-being. Basic food costs have increased this year by over 14% on the back of a 17% rise during 2022.
Access to affordable healthy food is one of the biggest challenges facing our communities today. Those living in the poorest areas also pay the highest for their food. Research has found that people are having to buy what they can afford rather than having the luxury of choice because of the cost-of-living crisis. Often, that means opting for the unhealthy option. Other people don’t live in a home with facilities for cooking or storing meals.
This winter, we are hugely concerned, as many start to make decisions whether to eat or heat their homes, that a cold winter will result in vulnerable adults not eating and a health crisis which already exists within the elderly community worsens. Currently 10% of over 65’s are malnourished.
Provide cheaper meals to the most vulnerable.
We will offer a cheaper meal to at-risk individuals, referred to us by social services/council officials/charitable organisations.
We will also, as we did during the pandemic, provide free meals to those identified as in crisis by other charities and council/social services.
2. Deliver in larger quantities
We will deliver larger quantities of meals to single locations where they can be distributed to multiple people.
These places will be warm spaces and clubs/events/sessions run by other charities/council services and ourselves. By attending in groups with peers, and eating together, individuals will have access to companionship and access to other information, help and advice and support and other necessities such as clothes and/or toiletries.
The Plan this year, is to increase the impact, during the winter when the cost-of-living issues will hit the vulnerable the the hardest. We will
1. Provide cheaper meals to the most vulnerable.
We will offer a cheaper meal to at-risk individuals, referred to us by social services/council officials/charitable organisations.
We will also, as we did during the pandemic, provide free meals to those identified as in crisis by other charities and council/social services.
2. Deliver in larger quantities
We will deliver larger quantities of meals to single locations where they can be distributed to multiple people.
These places will be warm spaces and clubs/events/sessions run by other charities/council services and ourselves. By attending in groups with peers, and eating together, individuals will have access to companionship and access to other information, help and advice and support and other necessities such as clothes and/or toiletries.