Coronavirus: The battle to get food to people who need it most in Bristol

The challenge of getting food to those who need it most will only increase as the coronavirus pandemic escalates, warn charity bosses.

While supermarket shelves are left bare from frantic stockpiling, a number of organisations are coordinating emergency efforts to get supplies to vulnerable people in Bristol amid unprecedented circumstances – and they need support.

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Food banks across the city remain open and say they will do so as long as possible, but they are struggling to meet demand following a rise in demand coupled with a reduction in donations.

Julian Mines, the CEO of FareShare South West, predicts the challenge of combatting food poverty will only increase as more schools, workplaces and public spaces are forced to close.

“As the coronavirus situation develops rapidly, we have already seen an increasing demand for our service,” he told Bristol24/7.

“Whilst many of the charities and organisations we deliver to are having to adapt how they get food to their end-users, such as handing out food parcels instead of hosting communal mealtimes, what is already clear is that the need for that emergency food support will increase.

“The challenge of ensuring food gets to those who need it most will increase as and when wholesale closures to schools, workplaces and public spaces happens.

“We are well-placed and committed to being part of the solution to getting food to those who need it most in Bristol in the months ahead. We are working closely with Bristol City Council and other local organisations to ensure a united and strategic approach.

“Continuing our deliveries to our existing charity, community group and school partners will remain a priority, but upscaling our operation as far as operationally possible is also a necessity if we’re to get food into other key settings to avoid anyone going unnecessarily hungry.”

Ayaan and Ben at Millpond Primary Breakfast Club as part of FareShare’s work to provide food where it’s needed across the city.  Photo courtesy of FareShare South West

The charity that works to combat both food poverty and waste is working with organisations including Feeding Bristol and the city council to put emergency plans in place. They are currently planning to rapidly expand the whole food redistribution operation in response to the crisis.

Food Banks across the city are also adapting to enable them to remain open for people in need.

Matt Dobson, the manager of North Bristol Food Bank, says they are doing all they can to keep the vital support available in all branches. The largely-voluntary teams are running a stripped-back service, so rather than going in for a chat and cup of tea, clients are merely going in to collect emergency packages of supplies.

With many advice centres and referral hubs now closed for face-to-face support, help is available via phone or online instead. Food banks operate on a referral basis so vouchers will be available via email.

“We will continue to support people for as long as possible,” vows Matt, adding: “The other side of this is that the donations are slowing down as people are stockpiling, so our big message is ‘be kind and be generous’.”

He appealed for more donations, either food or financial to ensure the food banks can keep up with demand.

North Bristol food bank. L-R Peter Sellek, Emma Wall, Steve Clark and Matt Dobson. Photo by Ellie Pipe

At a grassroots level, businesses that have been forced to close or adapt their offering are also doing their bit to help.

The Lazy Dog on Ashley Down Road is closed to the public until further notice but continues to operate a takeaway service. It is also looking at putting a system into place for people to donate food packs to those in greater need in the community.

The pub hopes to link with local community groups to identify those in need and distribute the food to them and will also operate as a food bank, enabling people to drop off supplies for those in need.

https://www.facebook.com/TheLazyDogBristol/posts/2850892501614786?__xts__[0]=68.ARCocofqonFq5U24z9aAC9lp3mDDd438FK33Z_dLsc4imMepGZYtY01HBmekuuKCs8DP7qaCSK3_UkNr81YEpH42eZqwSRV1_UG129ChxlEYUQclESl77pzFH0RcukJVtIGCkqvz-AB7gDap9r82jYDaxI3rdTqrz0NzEWg5jvRk9H8155jt8kbrJL57RfI7h3JTeMMto0iKj94UkiDSUpDJGPxq0moYCN34GwI0dRykTaSL4zyz2SjR_9–Lc9GPpaWUfBkXIYvyuETYTr1s7EtDgIQsOEi5m7GkHzDW1tNDtpcXiCH5eZRC5NmQucBU8q4A_3LbNYPQu4NyqVOBw&__tn__=-R

How you can help

To continue to operate and upscale in the way FareShare South West needs to, they require increased support in the form of:

• Funding support from businesses in the region who can afford to bolster efforts at this time.
• Donations via the FareShare website from individuals who feel able to give: www.faresharesouthwest.org.uk/support-us/donate-to-fareshare-south-west/
• Suppliers in the food industry to divert more surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.
• Younger volunteers, who do not have any underlying health conditions, to sign up as many current volunteers are over 70 and as such unable to help at this time: www.faresharesouthwest.org.uk/volunteer/.

For details on how you can support or donate to North Bristol Food Bank, visit: www.northbristol.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/

Main photo courtesy of FareShare South West

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