With stocks of certain essential items still hard to find at Ruddington’s supermarkets due to the recent wave of Coronavirus induced panic buying, our local food bank is appealing for more donations at a time when the demand for it is growing.
Although the Government has pledged financial help for those now unable to work during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, at least in the short term more people are having to turn to food banks – because they can no longer afford to feed their families or buy them basic necessities.
Clifton NG11 Foodbank – which also serves Ruddington – is hoping that anyone in our village who is not in that situation, and may perhaps have taken just a little more from the shelves than they actually needed over the past few weeks, might consider giving it to those who now require it? Everyone can continue to donate food and non-food items by leaving them in the designated areas in Ruddington Co-op and Sainsbury’s.
The appeal comes as the Hope Church based food bank moves its service to ‘home delivery’ only in response to the Government’s ‘Stay at Home’ request. It says this will protect its users, donors and volunteers – but has required a change in the way NG11 Foodbank vouchers are issued and used.
If you find you’re unable to afford food, you should call the local Citizens Advice Centre, or the Job Centre to talk about your situation and the use of vouchers. Anyone receiving Universal Credit (UC) should call the helpline and also send a message through the UC Journal messaging system including their contact number.
The Foodbank voucher is completed over the phone and emailed to the NG11 Foodbank where coordinators arrange for the necessary food parcels to be delivered by approved volunteers. The deliveries are being made on Tuesday and Saturday mornings between 9.30am and 11.00am – rather than goods being collected in person.
Wendy White, the manager of the NG11 Foodbank, says: “We have totally transformed the way we are supporting those in need and will do our best to feed families struggling to cope over the coming weeks and months. I must stress that the eligibility criteria for help from our Foodbank has not changed and follows Trussell Trust guidelines. There are other arrangements in place to provide shopping and door-step delivery for the elderly, for those self-isolating and the vulnerable. Please call the new Golden Number 0300 500 8080 for food and medications deliveries. We just ask that everyone respects the need for us to focus on those facing a genuine crisis.”
However, residents of Clifton, and other areas within the City boundary, should ‘phone 0115 9155555 to contact the food bank.
Supplies from catering outlets, wholesalers and companies are welcome – and financial donations are also needed. These can be made by cheque, payable to “Hope Church Nottingham (Foodbank)”. You might also consider becoming a volunteer – to help collect and distribute food parcels to those most in need during these unprecedented times.
Read more about NG11 Foodbank at www.cliftonng11.foodbank.org.uk or find the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.
{Top photo: Volunteer Mark Pinks at the Co-op Supermarket collection point in Ruddington}
