FOOD / Energy / Clothing BANKS : MORE A HUMANITARIAN THREAD ? 100,000+ Carers Reported As Needing Them In 2018

[Bill_2001]

Several reports in off forum.

Food bank volunteers fund raising to ensure that all " Family " parcels this week contained at least one Easter egg for every child above 5.

A couple reported other food bank users shelling out as well.

Even some institutions in on the act :

Hopwood Hall College donates 400 Easter eggs to Rochdale Foodbank.

Hopwood Hall College has donated hundreds of chocolate eggs to a local foodbank just in time for Easter.

All in all, 410 sweet treats were transported from the college’s campus in Middleton to Rochdale Foodbank on Friday (3 April).

Aldi donates Easter eggs to food banks and local charities

Aldi has decided to bring a little joy to these families, and has committed to donating half a million surplus Easter eggs to charities across the UK. Every day until April 11, each store will be distributing 50 eggs to a local charity, with the hopes that children experiencing hardship will still be able to get a visit from the Easter bunny.

And yet , other reports coming in :

‘No Easter eggs’ - Foodbank’s plea for essential items as donations drop.

Foodbanks across Norfolk have urged people to give essential items ahead of the bank holiday weekend - but not Easter eggs.

Peterborough Food Banks says ‘No Easter eggs just essentials’ to support people in need.

Residents are being urged to leave Easter Eggs out of donations to food banks and only give essential items.

Perhaps both Norfolk and Peterborough may reflect on the psychological impact on young children not receiving an Easter egg whereas their better off friends did ???

And , on the parents , having to use a food bank in the first place ???

[bowlingbun]

To a 5 year old child an Easter Egg IS surely an essential item. How can anyone not realise that???

[Bill_2001]

Cystic fibrosis campaign : US drug firm donates £550,000 to UK food bank charities.

A US cystic fibrosis drug giant has donated £550,000 to UK food bank charities, struggling to cope with the huge increase in demand.

The pandemic has forced some food banks to close or cut hours due to fewer volunteers, a shortage of donations while demand soars. Today we can reveal the CF Trust charity has launched an emergency fundraiser to help thousands of sufferers struggling for food while self-isolating.

But the Daily Express can also reveal the charitable arm of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, who make CF drugs like Orkambi, have given £550,000 to the UK.

The donations – split between Age UK, Crisis and the Trussell Trust – are part of a $5million global donation to battle Covid-19.

Michael Parini, the chairman of the Vertex Foundation, told us: "Our immediate priority is to address the unprecedented need in our local communities resulting from Covid-19.

"We are focused on providing funding to organisations that can provide immediate access to health care and health supplies.

"This includes testing and personal protective equipment and those working on-the-ground to provide vulnerable populations with food, care and education."

The Trussell Trust run a nationwide network of food banks and provide emergency food and support needed because of Covid-19.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust said: "Right now more people than ever are likely to need a food bank's help.

"This generous donation means we can respond to the fast-changing situation and ensure food banks continue to provide for people in crisis."

Crisis provide small grants to local grassroots organisations providing healthcare, isolation-support, and support the homeless.

Richard Lee, the Director of Fundraising at Crisis, said: "People facing homelessness are particularly hard hit in this pandemic.

"Those forced to sleep rough, or in a crowded night shelters - this generous donation will support our emergency grants scheme."

Age UK support older people, particularly those aged 70 and older who are worst hit by the epidemic physically and emotionally.

Laurie Boult, the Fundraising Director at Age UK, said: "Thank you so much to the Vertex Foundation.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/12684 ... -charities

[Melly1]

Extreme poverty 'will double by Christmas' in UK because of Covid-19

End of coronavirus job and income support expected to spark 61% rise in food bank use

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... t-predicts

[Melly1]

Unicef to feed hungry children in UK for first time in 70-year history

UN agency will help fund food parcels for those affected by coronavirus crisis in Southwark, South London

Unicef has launched a domestic emergency response in the UK for the first time in its more than 70-year history to help feed children hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

The UN agency, which is responsible for providing humanitarian aid to children worldwide, said the coronavirus pandemic was the most urgent crisis affecting children since the second world war.

A YouGov poll in May commissioned by the charity Food Foundation found 2.4 million children (17%) were living in food insecure households. By October, an extra 900,000 children had been registered for free school meals.

Unicef has pledged a grant of £25,000 to the community project School Food Matters, which will use the money to supply 18,000 nutritious breakfasts to 25 schools over the two-week Christmas holidays and February half-term, feeding vulnerable children and families in Southwark, south London, who have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... me-history

[susieq]

locked for usual reasons