COMMUNI TY
“It’s important to note that the causes of food poverty are never simple,” she continues. “This means tailored support for each individual is essential if we want to break the cycle.” The past two years have seen a swell in service users experiencing financial hardship caused by the pandemic, but many are still dealing with deep-rooted issues such as addiction, mental illness and domestic abuse – all of which are key contributors to poverty. Whatever the cause, the food bank is working hard to support members of the community in crisis, recently appointing a signposting coordinator to help the team of volunteers assist visitors in finding other suitable organisations. “Our volunteers don’t just hand out food parcels,” stresses Margaret. “As much as possible, they engage in friendly conversations with visitors, enabling them to gain an understanding of their circumstances and provide referrals to the most appropriate local support. That could be for debt advice, legal help, housing, energy bills, mental health support or benefits guidance.” It’s a big operation: the 200-strong team of volunteers currently distributes food parcels from seven centres across the region, and the organisation has three large warehouses to store and arrange donations. It also works with around 100 partner agencies, allowing different avenues for referral and ways for people in need to access their services. 2018 saw the launch of the Fairbite shop in Arbury, a now thriving initiative where the shelves are filled with surplus from the warehouses and excess supermarket stock, made available for a small monthly membership fee. If you find yourself in crisis and need access to food, the first thing to do is contact one of the range of local referral agencies partnered with the food bank, which includes Citizens Advice Cambridge
THE CAUSES OF FOOD POVERTY ARE NEVER SIMPLE... TAILORED SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL
and Wintercomfort, plus local churches, schools and health services. “These organisations can issue vouchers enabling access to our services,” explains Margaret. “But we can help put people in touch with a local referral service if needed. Once they have received a voucher, they are able to bring it to the nearest food bank centre and collect a parcel containing three days’ worth of food. If they have special dietary requirements, this can be discussed with our volunteers, who will accommodate their needs as best they can,” she adds.
Cambridge City Foodbank is dedicated to ensuring nobody in our community goes hungry, providing three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to those in crisis. It was founded by a local church in 2010, and is part of a nationwide network of food banks supported by The Trussell Trust, which works to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. ABOUT CAMBRIDGE CITY FOODBANK
If you’re in the fortunate position of not personally needing the service, but would like to help, the food bank always needs donations – both food and financial – as well as volunteers. Sadly, demand for the service has never been greater, and with big plans on the horizon, including a second Fairbite shop, extra hands are always welcomed. To find out more about the latest volunteering opportunities, email volunteer@ccfb.org.uk or visit the website cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk.
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