Food Hub works with referring agencies as we concentrate on emergency support.
A further 2,331 meals were delivered to struggling clients and their family members during July, taking us past 20,000 meals overall in 2022 so far.
Although it was our least busy month since last autumn (2,628 meals last month, 2,394 in May), it reflects that above all we are an emergency food bank. Therefore, generally speaking, after providing four weekly food parcels, we suggest to the referring agency that if the family needs further food support at this time, the agency reviews other possible options with them.
These include using the Olio and Too Good To Go apps providing free or discounted food, and seeing whether their nearest Food Stop has spare capacity for them to obtain around £20 worth of fresh, chilled and frozen food for £3.50 a week.
Also, we ask the agency to double-check with the family that they are receiving all of the benefits that they are entitled to, and know about the local support services detailed in our Worrying about money? leaflet.
We also confirm to the agency that the Croydon Household Support Fund is now open again for applications through the Council’s Discretionary Housing Support Team. This includes emergency supermarket vouchers and emergency gas and electricity top-ups, and help with fridges, fridge freezers and gas or electric cookers.
We conclude however: “May we emphasise that we are not closing the door – if the family are in food crisis again and need our emergency help, please do not hesitate to get in touch.”