With demand for its emergency food parcels spiking this year, King’s Lynn Foodbank is seeking more food donations, monetary donations and additional volunteers through the Big Supper Week in October, its 200 Club fundraiser and their Harvest appeal.
In 2019 King’s Lynn Foodbank has seen record numbers of people using the service. Its centres in King’s Lynn and Downham Market have given away food to over 3,500 people in the first seven months of the year, representing a 51% increase on the same period in 2018.
Andy King, Trustee of King’s Lynn Foodbank said: “The roll-out of Universal Credit has had a huge impact locally. We’ve been rushed off our feet. We fed over 4,000 people last year but we’re heading for a figure of over 6,000 this year. It’s shocking. We have been inundated and we need the help of the community more than ever.”
In order to meet demand the foodbank team are appealing for support from local churches, businesses and the public in a variety of ways. Andy said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of the public in the eight years since we launched, but we need more help than ever before.”
Their Big Supper Week will run from October 21 to October 27. Andy said: “We’re asking people to invite their friends or work colleagues for a meal. It could be an elaborate dinner party or a simple lunch – it doesn’t matter. But the idea is that people make a donation for the food they’ve eaten, which goes towards the work of the Foodbank.”
King’s Lynn Foodbank is looking for individuals, families, churches, restaurants and businesses to host Big Supper Week events. Other ways to support the growing need include donating food (particularly tinned veg, tinned meat, puddings and tinned tomato) to their Harvest appeal through King’s Lynn churches and by joining the 200 Club launched this year to find supporters who are willing to give £5 a month or whatever can be spared to support the work of the foodbank.
As more people access King’s Lynn Foodbank there is a growing need to recruit more volunteers to help with signposting. Helen Gilbert, the new Project Manager of King’s Lynn Foodbank, said: “Because the Foodbank is a support during a crisis, we would like to see our clients get the help that they need. Our signposting volunteers are there to help our clients access the right help for their circumstances. We provide training. If you know anyone who is a good listener and has the time to volunteer for a couple of hours once a week please encourage them to get in touch.”
Contact [email protected] or call 01553 886555 for a volunteer application form. If you’re interested in hosting a Big Supper Week event, please contact [email protected] for advice or an information pack.
To support the 200 Club visit their website for a donation form here.
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