Hackney CAB highlights foodbanks

Hackney's first Foodbank launched on Saturday 26 May (2012)

Our advisers at Hackney Citizens’ Advice Bureau have seen a big increase in people experiencing Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) sanctions in recent months – a 113% rise in this type of enquiry compared to last year.

When JSA is taken away via a sanction, it often leaves a person with no other source of money for food and we’ve seen a related rise in referrals for emergency help.

We’re really pleased that the new Hackney Foodbank is opening its first two distribution centres in Hoxton and Stoke Newington. The Foodbank is run by volunteers, and relies on donations of food and volunteer time to help local people in crisis.

The Hackney Foodbank provides a minimum of three days of emergency food and support to local people in crisis. As well as a package of food customised to meet their specific dietary requirements, volunteers will help with signposting on to other sources of help or services in the borough.

Non-perishable in-date food is donated to the Foodbank by schools, churches, businesses and individuals. ‘Supermarket Collections’ are one of the main ways that food is donated, currently in partnership with Sainsbury’s Dalston Kingsland and Morrison’s Stamford Hill. The next collection is at Sainsbury’s Dalston Kingsland on Saturday 15 September.

If you would like to find out how you or your business can help to support people in crisis in our borough, either by donating time, resources, or food, visit their website hackney.foodbank.org.uk.

Free, confidential advice: Hackney Citizen’s Advice Bureau Tel: 020 8525 6350

Catherine Dempsey is social policy coordinator at Hackney Citizens’ Advice Bureau.