ALL of us at Crediton Foodbank want to say a huge “thank you” to all of the amazing and generous people in the Crediton area who have donated food and presents to the foodbank this Christmas.

In November, in spite of receiving donations from many Harvest Festivals, for which we are most grateful and depend on, the shelves were once again empty. The money in our bank account which we use to buy fresh food each week, disappearing as we had to use it to buy basics.

Tesco Food Collection was very timely and helped start restocking the shelves.

But many many thanks to everyone who gave so generously to the Foodbank coming up to Christmas: 

• We had donations from individuals, whole families, Hayward’s school, from local businesses such as Wetherspoon’s, Crediton Dairy, Ernest Jackson, from local churches and villages, and an especially generous donation from villagers in Zeal Monachorum. 

• Thanks also to customers from Crediton Community Bookshop who donated new children’s books to give as presents and to Job Centre Plus who donated wrapped presents. 

• Thanks to all those who put large quantities of food into the Tesco’s foodbin and to those who regularly support us by standing orders.

• As well as the normal food parcels we were able to give everyone who came during December special Christmas hampers, including presents.

We are absolutely overwhelmed in the way that so many of you have been willing to give to people you have never met.

I have been the Coordinator of CFB for almost a year now and the demand for emergency food parcels has increased dramatically in that time:

January – April 2018: 101 food parcels given out to 145 adults and 103 children.

August - November 2018: 253 food parcels given out to 346 adults and 343 children.

The latest figures equate to an average of 86 adults each month who do not have enough income to put food on their tables compared to an average of 25 at the beginning of last year. This includes 85 children whose parents are struggling to feed them every month; almost three classrooms full of children. Can you imagine that?

Exeter Foodbank is experiencing a similar increase in demand and to quote the manager, Mark Richardson: “If we were a business, you would say that we are an amazing success! However, we are not a business, we are a charity who hope to go out of business through lack of demand. That does not look likely to happen very soon.”

Every week I receive calls from different agencies and from individuals who tell me their stories and how they are struggling; illness, unemployment, unexpected bills, mental illness, isolation, homelessness, benefit cuts and delays.

Things are not improving and since the end of September the moment someone’s benefit changes or they need to claim benefits, they are put onto Universal Credit.

Now just imagine having nothing in the bank because you have used up your last month’s wages on essentials such as rent, heating and food? Then something happens that means you need to apply for Universal Credit. Firstly, you can only apply online so need access to the internet. Secondly you now have at least five weeks without any money coming in. How do you pay your rent/feed your family/pay your bills? Yes, you can get an advance but this amount will then be taken out of the money you get in five weeks’ time so you will still be in debt.

Over Christmas I have had four people who found themselves in this situation and they all had a pretty bleak Christmas and the number of people experiencing this is increasing on a weekly basis.

Something needs to change; have a look at the End Hunger UK website which has some great ideas on how you can get involved in campaigning for change.

Here at Crediton Foodbank we are not political but we have taken part in a national petition from End Hunger UK about Universal Credit that was sent to parliament.

We also hope to have a visit from Mel Stride, MP, in February to ensure he hears the local stories and understands what it is like for people on low incomes who live in Crediton.

We couldn’t do without the 17 wonderful volunteers who give their spare time to support the Foodbank in many different ways and neither could we do without the many groups and individuals who donate regularly. It is also a privilege to get to know the many people who come for food parcels, and be able to support them in times of crisis.

Thank you again Crediton and area for your donations and your kind heartedness.

Should you be donating this month, our present needs are: tinned ham, tinned meals such as chicken curry, meatballs, beef and onions, and jars of sauces to go with pasta or rice.

Chris Parsons

Crediton Foodbank Coordinator and Community Support Worker.