After seeing the community needing support 10 years ago, one foodbank was created in church cellars. Since then, it has been a ‘long road’ for the food bank which has adapted to meet the needs of others.
With those in need surprised that they have a choice when it comes to what’s in their food parcels, the Arnold Food Bank was formed by Helen Lloyd. At the Daybrook Baptist Church, Helen called a meeting on how the church could help the community.
Ten years later, the Arnold Food Bank has become one of the country’s busiest food banks and has given food to over 43,000 people. Volunteers from the past and present, gathered at the Arnold Food Bank on March 14 to reflect on all that has been done in the past decade.
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A third of all the food bank’s donations come from local people, businesses, clubs and community groups - without the ‘wonderful community’ the progression of the food bank would not be possible.
Helen Lloyd said: “‘Celebrating’ isn’t the word that I’d use for 10 years of the food bank, over the years, we’ve had about 50-odd volunteers, lots of people have helped keep the food bank going.”
One of the Arnold Foodbank’s key principles they want to get across is: the food bank is more than just food. One of their next projects is looking at the possibility of ‘ticket banks’ - where venues such as the cinema, theatre, music and sport consider donating unsold tickets so food bank users can benefit, improving their mental health by having something to look forward to.
Helen continued and said: “People are always shocked at the idea of having choice, it surprises people that we have the attitude that everyone is an individual with individual needs. Times have changed over the years too, the food bank now has support from citizens' advice which has been a great boost and we can provide electric blankets as part of our winter packs.”
As the cost of living crisis continues to affect many people, the cost for the existence of a single adult is £120 whilst on universal credit they would receive £85 a week. It is food banks that will provide necessities to those financially struggling on many occasions.
Helen continued: “There was one lady who hadn’t taken off her clothes for days because she was too cold in her house, we gave her a throw and at least she had that. A typical family can get £50 worth of food here but still, that’s not very much.”
The Arnold Foodbank is projected to serve 7,500 people in the year to March 31 2023. This is 2,000 more than the previous year.
Helen describes the food bank as ‘responsive’ and as the gap between what those on Universal Credit receive and the living costs do not correlate, the food bank has stepped up to meet demands.
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Labour Councillor and Portfolio Holder for Young People and Equalities, Viv McCrossen said: “The Arnold Food Bank is a vital service, we all know we shouldn’t need food banks in 2023 but to hear what we’ve heard about the gap between universal credit and the cost of living, we all need to campaign to ensure people in our country have enough to live off. “What’s the point in benefits if it doesn’t meet the cost of living?”
The Arnold Food Bank is always in need of tinned meats, coffee, carrier bags, toilet roll and more which can be found on their website. The food bank is open 12pm-3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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