Food banks around the UK work tirelessly to help alleviate food poverty. Alice Ball rolls up her sleeves to find out what they — and those who rely on them — need to keep going
In reality, an estimated 13 million people in the UK live below the poverty line. 1 Many of us have donated to a food bank, but what happens to our contributions beyond the supermarket collection bins and harvest festivals?
The food banks
Eastleigh Basics Bank in Hampshire has provided food for 13,806 people since it was set up six years ago and relies upon a team of 20 volunteers to open twice a week. I’m expecting a dull and shabby building, shelves stocked with a nostalgic display of tinned sardines, soup and rice pudding. But instead, visitors are seated comfortably on sofas whilst their food boxes are prepared, and in the back room there are fresh vegetables, pastries, and a crate of baking potatoes on the centre table. Several volunteers greet me with smiles and handshakes, ushering me inside for a hot drink. I learn my first lesson about food banks: they do more than just provide emergency food; they are a place for the community. As one volunteer tells me, anybody can drop by for a “hot drink and a natter”, regardless of whether they are in need of food.
This story is from the Winter 2017/18 edition of Optimum Nutrition.
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This story is from the Winter 2017/18 edition of Optimum Nutrition.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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