2024 was the most challenging year in our Foodbank’s history. In total, across the 12 months, we distributed 17,665 three-day emergency food parcels to individuals and families in need. This is a staggering rise of over 11% on 2023.
Amidst this seemingly exponential rise in the numbers of people who are being forced to turn to our Foodbank for support, a glimmer of hope exists. This hope is born purely out of the kindness and generosity of the amazing people and businesses in Cambridge.
Despite the high cost of living that continues to impact us all, in December, our Tesco Collection saw hundreds of generous shoppers donate vast amounts of food in the stores across Cambridge. This helped to bolster our supplies at a critical time.
Elsewhere, we received an incredible 1,050 Christmas Hamper donations that we distributed to individuals and families over the festive period. Many people are facing hardship, but those who are able to give have consistently stepped up to help ensure that no one in Cambridge has to face hunger alone.
We are an independent charity that is part of the nationwide network of Trussell food banks and, as such, a significant part of our work relies upon this generosity. The donations we receive are so greatly appreciated, but, sadly, the deficit between the amount of food that we provide and the amount of donations that we receive is continuing to widen.
The high cost of living is impacting all aspects of society, and our food donations simply haven’t kept pace with the amount of parcels we are distributing. So far, we have been fortunate to be able to plug this gap thanks to our financial donations, but as we head towards February, we find ourselves in a worrying position.
Our Foodbank Welcome Centres and Fairbite Food Clubs continue to be busy and, in tandem, the shelves of our warehouse are becoming more and more bare.
Historically, in January, we see a significant drop off in the amount we receive in donations and, this year, it may push us towards breaking point.
For context, in December 2023, we were fortunate to receive around 25,500 kg of food but, by January 2024, this had dropped to just 11,800 kg – more than a 50% reduction.
The level of need across the past 12 months has been significantly higher than that of the previous year and we are currently running at a financial deficit. Needless to say, this is not sustainable in the medium to long term.
Our vision is to end the need for food banks in Cambridge and we have taken steps towards making this a reality.
This has included working with organisations like Trussell and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to encourage the Government to implement changes to certain policies that are holding people in poverty.
We campaigned locally to call for the Government to introduce a minimum floor in the amount of money that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is allowed to deduct from benefits payments.
And I am relieved to say that Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, introduced this in her first budget.
We have also worked with Cambridge City Councillors to encourage them to back our call for an Essentials Guarantee which would enshrine into law that social security payments must cover the cost of basic food and hygiene items.
Again, I am pleased to share that, in November 2024, the Council passed a motion pledging its support for this campaign.
Elsewhere, we have worked together with Cambridge and District Citizens Advice to ensure that financial advisors and support is available in all of our Foodbank Welcome Centres and Fairbite Food Clubs.
So far, this has unlocked over £1,000,000 for our visitors through unclaimed benefits and grants, and around 25% of people who have used this service now no longer need to visit a food bank.
We have also addressed the fact that more of our visitors require support on an ongoing basis than on an emergency basis by expanding our Fairbite Food Club offering.
For a small membership fee, Fairbite members are able to access one of our five Clubs and choose their own items; just as they would with any other shop.
Our Foodbank Welcome Centres will always be there for as long as people require emergency food support, but our Fairbite Food Clubs provide an option for those facing more of a long-term, regular need for support.
We are already introducing measures to reduce and eventually end food banks in Cambridge. We have multiple successful ongoing projects and more that will be launching soon.
But in the here and now, we are facing a significant need, and we must ensure that food is available for all who need it. I am well aware that January is a financially challenging period for a lot of people, and this is particularly true this year.
However, I must ask, if you are able to give, please do so. Your donation will help provide much more than just food; it will provide a glimmer of hope to someone who could be feeling hopeless.
To find out how you can support Cambridge City Foodbank, visit: https://cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk/
