Story
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Hard times come to many, and there will always be needy among us. Loughborough Area Foodbank (in conjunction with New Life Community Church) has risen to the challenge and regularly provides food parcels for community's most needy.
Loughborough Area Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis
Our community outreach combines an established Trussell Trust Foodbank and a professional CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Debt Counselling Service. Our overall aim is to connect with, and sustainably lift out of poverty, those in our community who are most vulnerable, poor and excluded. We are passionate about reaching out to, and improving the lives of, disadvantaged individuals and families across Charnwood.
In financial year 2021-22 we provided 1,679 food parcels to 5,012 people (including 2,242 children). Each emergency food parcel contains three days’ worth of food and essential items, such as toiletries. We also provided in-depth debt counselling for 30 individuals/families, supporting them on their journey out of debt.
Alongside these main services we provide a Chat Café, Mental Health Support Group, Youth Club, Parent and Toddler Group, Football Group, Community Summer BBQ and Christmas Meal for the Homeless. We work mainly with disadvantaged individuals and families who are struggling with poverty and unable to buy food. Many of our clients are also battling a range of difficult issues, such as debt, unemployment, domestic abuse, health problems, isolation and loneliness.
We know that increased numbers of people are struggling to buy food and pay for essentials. Many clients have told us they now have to choose between buying food and heating their home. Other clients say they have been skipping meals so that their children do not go hungry. With the cost-of-living crisis set to worsen in the near future, people in Charnwood we speak to are anxious about how they are going to make ends meet and afford food for their families. We expect demand for our services to be especially high in the winter of 2023.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic demand for our services has more than doubled. According to the Trussell Trust’s latest end-of-year stats, compared to this time 5 years ago, need for foodbanks in their network has increased by 81%. The effects of the pandemic, the loss of the Universal Credit ‘Uplift’ and rising costs of living has pushed many into financial hardship.
We provide help during times of crisis, as well as longer term support that enables clients to get back on their feet. We provide a caring, compassionate and reliable service that ensures Charnwood’s most vulnerable citizens get the bespoke help they need when they need it the most. Many of our clients come to us feeling vulnerable, desperate and overwhelmed by the challenges of life. We treat people with care and respect so that they do not feel like just a number or lost in a system. We have a proven track record in breaking the debt-food poverty cycle. We run a well-organised and efficient service so that we can provide the best support for service-users.
Tell us more about the charity
New Life Community Church (Loughborough) provides an all-inclusive community space where everyone is welcome, irrespective of background or religion. Operational since January 2019, our Trussell Trust Foodbank and a professional CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Debt Counselling Service connects with and sustainably lifts out of poverty, those in our local community who are most vulnerable and deprived. The people we help are unable to buy food and often dealing with extremely difficult circumstances (debt, domestic abuse, mental health, job loss, isolation and homelessness). Tackling food poverty and debt together, our services have a proven track record of success. In 2021/2022 we have fed over 5,000 people and supported 30 families to break the debt-poverty cycle. Since the start of the pandemic demand for our services has more than doubled. With rising costs of living and removal of the Universal Credit 'uplift' more and more families are battling to make ends meet.
How will you use these funds?
Many clients first come to us feeling vulnerable, desperate and overwhelmed by the challenges of life. We provide emergency help when it is needed most by providing three days' worth of food. Our services also provide practical and emotional support to tackle the root causes of each individuals poverty. We care about each of our clients and encourage them to spend time at our Chat Café where we get to know them. We provide encouragement, a compassionate 'listening ear' and also referrals to other local organisations for specialised help where appropriate. We provide further 'in-house' support through our Mental Health Support Worker, Family Worker, Youth Club, Toddler Group and Community Garden project. Your funding will help us maintain our vital services by contributing to our growing running costs.
Since our opening in January 2019, we have consistently demonstrated a proven track record in providing sustainable solutions for individual and families in crisis in Leicestershire. Breaking the cycle of poverty, our clients have benefitted from:
· Improved physical wellbeing from receiving nutritious food that prevents adults and children from going hungry and promotes good health.
· Reduced anxiety, stress, and loneliness from knowing they have a place to go to receive free food and tailored, dignified support.
· Improved levels of happiness and socialisation, from having somewhere safe and welcoming to go to make connections with others from their community.
· Increased confidence and self-esteem from being given consistent encouragement and support to seek further help from other organisations.
· Reduction in harmful behaviours, such as theft and shoplifting, as basic needs are met and positive choices are encouraged.
5,012 people fed in 2021/22 and 30 people/families sustainably lifted out of debt, demonstrates that our work has a positive effect on the wider community too. By building local connections, we help address both the causes and effects of poverty across North Leicestershire
We do not simply provide ‘hand outs’. We offer a holistic service that enables clients to tackle their root causes of poverty and empowers them to make life changes to improve their individual situations. We deliver practical and emotional support, tools and guidance so that people can tackle underlying drivers of poverty. It is this person-centred approach that truly sets us apart from other foodbanks. Our aim is for clients to see food parcels as an emergency ‘stop gap’ rather than a long-term solution.
I am taking on the Hardmoors 200 this year. It starts in Hull and ends in Helmsley, taking the scenic route. This will no doubt be the hardest race I have done to date, as I have to complete the journey in under 60 hours.
Hardmoors 200 – Hardmoors Race Series (hardmoors110.org.uk)
My goal is to raise at least £10-15 per mile, to keep hungry people fed.
I'll be digging deep to get it done. Please dig deep with me in this worthy cause.