Slough Foodbank has had to quickly and continually adapt to ensure we get food to those who need it most during Covid-19.
Key stats for the past week
- Volunteers down by 35% due to age or being in vulnerable categories
- Number of people helped almost doubled versus our ‘normal’ busy weeks
- Warehouse stocks of certain items running low
- Donations of food and toiletries significantly down, as shopping restrictions in place on items and people
How we’ve responded
- Adjusted quickly to new emergency working methods to keep people fed
- Appeal for helpers
- Working closely with Slough CVS and Slough Borough Council and other community groups and lots of new volunteer “helpers” to make sure that no-one in the Slough area goes hungry
- Changed to operating from behind closed doors, with e-referral vouchers to minimise contact and help keep volunteers and clients safe
- Pre-packing parcels in distribution centres to facilitate a quicker process
- Set-up Crowdfunder page: Visit our Crowdfunder page.
Stories of encouragement
We have been truly amazed at the response of people supporting Slough Foodbank. Here are just a few of the encouraging stories we’ve seen this week.
Food on a Friday night
Our Manager, had arrived home on Friday night but still had her phone on. She received a call from a 111 nurse. A Man in his late 60s with a 95yr old mum was in need of food. He had no money and was waiting for his next payments. His Mum kept saying that she’s hungry and when will she next eat?
Our Manager went back to warehouse and packed a 3 day food parcel. She called a friend at SloughCovid19 a mutual aid group, who delivered it to the man and his mum that evening. Community working together!
New packing venue and tables
Whilst on a conference call we mentioned we need tables to set up a new packing venue, courtesy of Segro finding us space. Whilst still on the call an email popped up from George, at Slough Community Transport. He had contacted Suzanne at Kingsway United Reformed Church offering the tables and George and his drivers arranged to collect the tables and deliver them. Everything was in place within 4 hours. Praise God, for this provision.
Responding with financial help
Sainsburys’ driver Vince (works at Sainsburys Slough, Uxbridge Road) is also a Slough Foodbank Volunteer. He noticed there was significantly less donations in Foodbank donation box and he mentioned this to the online manager, Wahid. One of the driver’s had been tipped £50 but wanted it shared amongst the other drivers. Collectively, they donated it to Slough Foodbank. The Sainsbury’s store then added £100 and 2 of the managers personally added £50 each. Wahid called to ask what we most need, and they will shop for it and send it to us. Praise the Lord. Human kindness is alive and kicking!
We’ve also had some large donations form groups that have seen our plight and are able to procure supplies. Thank you so much to evryone who is helping us. We really value this as we are currently completely out of sponge puddings and deodorants for our 3 day emergency packs and the shelves are running low on many other items. See our April Shopping List.
Crowdfunder enables financial generosity from a caring community
On Monday we launched our Crowdfunder site and at the time of writing, this has raised £3,496! Thank you so much for enabling us to buy desperately needed food and toiletries.
Message from Slough Foodbank Manager, Sue Sibany-King
“These are definitely unprecedented times and Slough Foodbank is needed more than ever. We have had to adapt and react quickly, with our aim continuing to be to give food parcels to those in need, whilst at the same time keeping everyone safe.
I have been amazed and touched by the overwhelming positive responses we have received from people across the slough area from businesses, to community groups, to individuals. All pulling together to help those less fortunate in our community.
As ever my thanks go to our team of volunteers, working tirelessly under difficult and changing circumstances to help those in food poverty.”
