HOPE STARTS HERE…AT CHIPPING BARNET FOODBANK

Sometimes the Merriest Time of Year, Can feel like the Hardest

Christmas lights are flickering overhead, shop windows are decorated with tinsel and sparkly baubles, every television programme shows happy, smiling faces and festive music is playing on a loop in every place you visit.

But you’re cold, you’re worried and you’re hungry.

This is the reality for many of our Chipping Barnet Foodbank clients. And at Christmas, life can feel especially challenging. Parents are faced with the pressure of buying gifts and extra food over the holidays, whilst other vulnerable residents may feel the ache of loneliness more profoundly than usual. So, can you donate and help us brighten up a local person’s winter?

Family, festivity and fun, doesn’t look the same for everyone

Last year, Chipping Barnet Foodbank supported 7,835 individuals and families living in Barnet by providing emergency food parcels. And whilst we do our best to make our sessions feel as merry and light as possible, the sad truth is, no one should need a foodbank. Our clients would rather not have to rely on emergency food, and we are hopeful for a future where we won’t be needed.

Unfortunately, foodbanks like ours exist all over the country as it is estimated food insecurity affects almost 1 in 8 UK households, rising to 1 in 6 households with children. During the colder months, we offer a vital lifeline and source of hope when life can seem that much harder - a time when people have to make the choice of heating their homes or putting food on the table.

Can You Make a Difference?

Hope Starts Here…At Our Foodbank, is our appeal to you: families, friends, schools, businesses, churches and organisations. Help us to help our community feel included, fed and cared for this winter.

The cost-of-living crisis, rising energy bills and all the other associated costs of winter impact people all over Barnet. Between November and December last year, we distributed 1147 food parcels, which helped 781 adults and 366 children experiencing food poverty.

This year, we want to raise £20,000 to continue providing essential food parcels and support to the most vulnerable members of our borough. Here’s how you can help:

£10 Could provide Christmas treats for a child in a family facing hardship

£20 Could provide a supermarket voucher for one person to choose the food they need this Christmas

£50 could provide an emergency food parcel for a family facing hardship this Christmas

£100 could provide a Christmas hamper for a family, including festive food, treats and essentials.

If you would prefer to donate food, please click here https://givetoday.co.uk/barnetfoodbank/ and select the items you would like to donate to us this Christmas. Delivery is free of charge and every tin, jar or packet helps.

Thank you for being part of the Chipping Barnet Foodbank family.