Cambridge City Foodbank has launched its 11th annual Winter Appeal amidst high need for emergency food support in the city.
This year, the Foodbank is inviting individuals, businesses and organisations from across Cambridge to either donate a Christmas hamper or give a financial donation that will be matched by other local businesses up to £3,100, doubling the impact.
Christmas Hampers should be filled with essential food and hygiene items, with the option to also include some seasonal treats. They will be provided to people facing ongoing hardship over Christmas and financial donations could provide emergency food, advice and support. People looking to find out more or support the appeal are invited to do so via the Foodbank’s website.
Steve Clay, CEO of Cambridge City Foodbank, said: “We are so fortunate to be supported by some incredibly generous businesses and organisations from across Cambridge, but, as we enter winter, we are bracing ourselves for a period of high need for our services.
“Thousands of households across the city are being forced to make the decision between feeding their families or heating their homes – a truly heartbreaking reality. If your business would like to ensure that people facing hardship in Cambridge have access to life’s essentials and spread some Christmas joy, we would be so grateful if you’d consider supporting our appeal.”
The Foodbank is currently providing around 17,000 three-day emergency food parcels on a 12-month rolling basis. Furthermore, it is helping an additional 1,000 people who a facing a longer-term need to access truly affordable food through its Fairbite Food Clubs.
Fairbite members pay a small membership fee and can choose from a selection of cupboard staples, fresh food and household products.
Steve continued: “Around one in 20 households in Cambridge have needed the services of our Foodbank in the past year alone. There could be a family on almost every street in town that is worried about where their next meal is going to come from – your own neighbour could be going without essential food items this winter, but you can help ensure this isn’t the case.
“We’ve already has some amazing support for our appeal pledged by businesses and organisations in Cambridge and I thank them sincerely. Your generosity really means so much to both our charity and to everyone who we serve. If you’re able to pledge some hampers, support us financially or even just raise awareness of our Appeal, you’ll be making a huge difference to the lives of many at an incredibly difficult time.”
To find out more about how you can support Cambridge City Foodbank with its Winter Appeal, visit: cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk/winter-appeal
Cambridge City Foodbank is an independent local charity and member of the Trussell network, working to promote food justice and eradicate food insecurity and hunger across the UK. The Cambridge City Foodbank was founded in 2010 by local churches and community groups looking to address the issues of food insecurity in the city. It also runs affordable food social supermarkets and a fuel support scheme to address fuel poverty.
