From Monday 14 April we are switching our foodbank service to home delivery only. This temporary measure is so we can continue to provide emergency food to people in crisis, in as safe a way as possible.
Although our five centres in Tadworth, Ewell, Banstead, Epsom and Leatherhead will be closed, people can still be referred to us by our nearly 150 referral partners. We are deeply committed to helping everyone who has no other means of putting food on the table, and we are glad to support them at this time.
Our referral partner will email a completed voucher to us, and we will call the person or family to arrange delivery of emergency food and essential toiletries to their doorstep.
We are currently working on a way for people who cannot afford food and are self-isolating to access a foodbank’s help, but we cannot extend this to cover people who have enough money. People self-isolating who can afford to buy food but cannot leave their homes should contact their local council or local Citizens Advice for advice.
Food banks provide an essential emergency service for people unable to afford food. However they are stretched community charities, and they do not have capacity to provide food to people who can afford to buy the essentials but are self-isolating and have issues accessing food as a result.
Why are we switching to home delivery only?
- Many people referred to us in crisis are disabled or have long-term health conditions. We want to protect them and enable them to stay safe in their homes while being able to access emergency food.
- We support many families with young children, with a majority being lone parent households. We want to make accessing the foodbank more logistically possible for them through home delivery, especially as their children are at home.
- We also want to protect our volunteers, staff and people needing the foodbank: minimising contact and enabling people to physical distance as much as possible while still getting the crisis help they need.
OTHER SOURCES OF CRISIS SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
It’s not right at any time that people are forced to use a foodbank to get the basic essentials they need. Now more than ever, we’re calling on the government and local authority to increase the vital support they can offer, to ensure all households have sufficient money for food.
Important telephone numbers
The Surrey County Council helpline for those who are in need of support at this difficult time is 0300 200 1008. The three local Borough and District Councils are also stepping up their work to support local residents who are in difficulty and they will be providing more information to people in the coming days.
And the local branches of Age Concern can help with shopping if you are of pensionable age and self-isolating:
Age Concern Epsom & Ewell – 01372 732456
Age Concern Mole Valley – 01306 899104
Age Concern Banstead – 01737 352156
A HUGE THANK YOU
We’re incredibly thankful for everyone who has given to help their neighbours in crisis recently, through the foodbank. Thank you so much.
If you’d like to give help – or more help – please consider giving online, either money or food. This is the safest and most efficient way at the moment, and you’ll be helping provide for local people in greatest need. Thank you.