As Andy Williams famously sung, ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year.’ For many of us, Christmas is the time in the calendar we look forward to most. It is an opportunity to gather together and celebrate with our loved ones, but for those facing food insecurity, it can be truly challenging.
At Cambridge City Foodbank, we have experienced our busiest year to date. On an annual basis, we are now distributing around 17,500 three-day emergency food parcels; this is an increase of around 8,000 parcels since before the pandemic.
For every year throughout our 14-year history, December is, by far, our busiest month in terms of need. Amidst the current climate of food insecurity in Cambridge, we are bracing for what we expect will be the busiest and most challenging period in our history.
It shouldn’t have to be this way. For those who celebrate, November and December should be about hanging decorations on trees, singing carols, picking gifts for your loved ones, the Christmas nativity story of baby Jesus, and the angels proclaiming Peace on Earth.
But for the people we support, this time of year is a period of significant stress and heightened worry. Whilst it is a fabulous time of year, Christmas can sadly emphasise the gap between those who have and those who have not.
All too often, those battling poverty feel an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
But hope is not lost. We will always be here to provide a welcoming and non-judgemental space where those in need can access food.
Together, with the incredible support of the generous people and the businesses in Cambridge, we will support people through crisis and together, we will eventually end the need for foodbanks.
Across recent months, we have been campaigning for our local politicians to do more in order to support those facing poverty and we are pleased that the Government listened to us and introduced a 15% maximum deductions floor in benefits payments alongside an increase to the national living wage.
This is the first step towards what we hope will be an Essentials Guarantee, which ensures that social security payments always cover the cost of a basket of essential food and hygiene items.
We will continue to campaign for these sorts of changes to be implemented, but in the here and now, people are struggling, and we need your help to spread some festive cheer to those in need this Christmas.
Each year, we hold our Christmas Hamper Appeal which provides people facing hardship with a hamper filled with festive treats, clothing items, and essential food and hygiene items.
In previous years, we have been absolutely blown away by the publics’ willingness to support the appeal and, through the generosity of people like you, we have provided over 4,500 hampers to those in need across the 10 years that we have run the appeal.
(See link below):
Christmas Hamper Appeal | Cambridge City Foodbank
This year, we know has been incredibly tough for many.
The cost of living is significantly higher than it has been in previous years but if I may ask one favour of you; please, if you have the financial means to do so, consider pledging to donate a hamper to our appeal and spare a thought for those in our community who are going without.
The gifts and essential items contained within the hampers are incredibly meaningful to those who receive one, but the biggest gift you will be donating is the gift of hope.
To find out more information and to pledge to donate a hamper, visit: https://cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk/hampers/
