Switch from home deliveries to in-person collections benefits clients and volunteer teams.
After the upheaval involved in introducing our new operation at the beginning of March, it was a relatively quiet month in terms of the number of clients and family members referred by our ticket partner agencies for food help.
After a quiet beginning, the Wednesday distribution sessions became progressively busier as our referral partners got used to the new system, culminating in food being provided for nearly 60 people on 25th March.
So far the signs are that the transition has worked well, both for our clients and for our volunteers.
Meeting clients face to face again means we can ensure that their food parcels are appropriate for their needs, and we are also better able to help them if they need ongoing support after their final visit.
Our volunteers also report that working conditions are better.
The new shelving area at the back of the Purley URC building is much warmer than the previous location in the church Sanctuary, while stock processing is quicker and more efficient as items no longer have to be taken back to the Sanctuary after sorting.
One area we will continue to look at is the weight of the food that clients are carrying home. We are therefore now encouraging supporters to donate cartons rather than jars and we will go on giving out packet soup rather than tinned soup. Not only is this lighter but each box contains several sachets requiring only hot water, which many of our clients find more convenient.
Our whole new way of operation, including working towards welcoming clients on Wednesdays with tea/coffee and offering the opportunity to speak to a support volunteer, will be reviewed in June by the Management Committee and Food Hub Trustees. The Purley URC Elders will have their own review.
Overall, the total number of people receiving food in March was 215, equivalent to 1,935 meals. This was the first month in years that the total number of meals provided has dropped below 2,000. It remains to be seen how significant this fall is, but it is in line with a downward trend that has been evident over the last couple of years, both in the total number of meals provided and donated items received.
In the first quarter of 2026 we provided food for 7,515 meals. This compares to 9,099 in Q1 2025 and 10,584 in 2024, a year-on-year drop of 14% and 17% respectively. The monthly average so far this year is just over 2,500. In both 2024 and 2025 the figure stood at over 3,400.
In terms of items donated, the total in the first quarter of 2026 was 20,501. This was slightly up on the same period last year (19,678), but this year and last are both well down on 2024, when Q1 donations totalled 25,393.