GUEST POST: Nancy Taaffe explains why she’s against foodbanks
I understand that foodbanks are often set up by well intentioned people who want to help, but I would question whether a foodbank without politics does actually help.
Monthly Archives: November 2012
GUEST POST: Fiona Twycross on visiting Peckham foodbank
Members of the London Assembly visited Peckham foodbank this week. Fiona Twycross, Labour Londonwide Assembly Member, has written this guest post on her visit and her meetings with volunteers and clients for The food bankers.
Names of clients have been changed in this story to protect their identity.
The lowdown on foodbanks
Tom Knowles gives a brief guide to ‘foodbanks’ and the current situation in the UK.
Interview with Daphine Aikens, Manager of Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank
Trussell Trust Volunteer, Daphine Aikens, was nominated for the Daily Mail’s Inspirational Women of the Year Award.
Interview with Rhona Croker, volunteer at Waterloo foodbank
Interview with Rhona Croker, volunteer at Waterloo foodbank
Visit to Waterloo foodbank
Waterloo foodbank is Christian compassion mixed with hardnosed bureaucracy.
Turkeys flock to feed America
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, foodbanks in America are urging locals to donate a tasty festive bird to their local centre. Turkeys, the traditional Thanksgiving feast, are being donated in their thousands to foodbanks across the US as a wholesome meal for families in need.
Councils plan to fund foodbanks
Local councils plan to strengthen food banks following this year’s controversial Welfare Reform Act, which, according to the Department for Work and Pensions, represents the biggest reform to welfare for 60 years.
Have foodbanks taken up government reins?
Lambeth council made the national headlines in August after it proposed to provide funding for Brixtons food bank yet claimed it was “holding its nose” as it didn’t believe the scheme is a solution to the boroughs poverty. Elizabeth Mayton, head of Brixton food bank, is also worried that getting involved in formal crisis welfare provision could be “something that completely swamps food banks.”
How will supply keep up with demand?
Food prices in Britain have risen by 32% in five years, causing more and more people to turn to food banks as they choose whether to “heat or eat”. The Trussell trust had 1 food bank in 2004, 50 in 2009 and has 255 now, making the charity’s target of 500 by 2016 look decidedly cautious.
The food bankers 