Lewisham food projects need more volunteers to keep meeting high demand
Lewisham’s food banks and community food projects are struggling to meet demand for emergency food due to a lack of volunteers, particularly volunteer drivers and cyclists. ‘We saw over 2,000 people step forward to volunteer as part of Lewisham’s Coordinated Community Response during the first lockdown. They helped to deliver over 10,000 food parcels,’ says Dee Saund, Lewisham Local’s Volunteering Programme Manager. ‘Yet many of these individuals have since returned to work, or are no longer in a position to help, leaving food banks and community projects without the vital help they need to keep their doors open.’
Prior to Covid-19, it was estimated that up to one in four (24%) adults and one in six (17%) parents had children living in food insecurity in Lewisham1. What does this look like? It can mean skipping a meal, or going to bed hungry, or not knowing where your next meal will come from. This has only increased since the start of the pandemic and demand on food banks is rising with it. The impending cut to Universal Credit scheduled for early October as well as the end of the furlough scheme will leave many families without enough money to pay for food and essentials.
Lewisham Local, a local charity, has been supporting a network of community food projects throughout the pandemic which are providing a vital safety net for many families who were struggling. At the height of the pandemic, these projects were supporting around 2,500 households across the borough every week.
‘So many people would have been left without food were it not for these amazing organisations supporting some of our most vulnerable residents over the past 18 months.’ Explained Simone Riddle, Community Engagement Lead at Lewisham Local. ‘Sadly the demand on local food banks has remained high despite the lockdown ending. Recently food banks have seen a drop in volunteers, particularly volunteer drivers, as well as a drop in surplus food available due to major issues in the supply chain. We want to get the message out on behalf of these projects that your local community still needs you; if you have a car, bicycle, food to donate or simply a few hours to spare, please get in touch with a project near you.’
How you can help
Find a list of current volunteering opportunities in Lewisham on Lewisham Local’s website: Volunteer Opportunities | Lewisham Local.
Several projects, including food waste champions The Felix Project, are particularly looking for volunteer van drivers to help transport food around the borough (and beyond!), and collect from local food suppliers – you can read more about their roles in Lewisham and South London or sign up to an info session here: Volunteering South London – Book Your Info Session (thefelixproject.org)
Find the food bank closest to you to volunteer, donate food or money via Lewisham Local’s map: Give Locally during Covid-19 | Lewisham LocalGive Locally during Covid-19 | Lewisham Local.
Sign up to receive Lewisham Local’s volunteering newsletter to find the latest volunteering news in Lewisham: https://www.lewishamlocal.com/volunteer-sign-up/
Get help
If you or someone you know lives in Lewisham and is struggling financially, you can find a map of local food projects offering free or low cost food here or call Community Connections Lewisham (0330 058 3464 Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm) for help to find the best option for you while linking you to additional support available in Lewisham. Advice Lewisham also offers a freephone Advice Line 0800 231 5453 funded by Lewisham Council to support residents with enquiries about benefits, housing, debt, employment, immigration, family and a range of consumer issues.
You can find more support available during Covid-19 in Lewisham here: Request Support During Covid-19 | Lewisham Local
