July 2019 breakfast

A timely reminder about some families’ summer struggles

 

Mike Smith Stowmarket Food Bank July 2019July 2019 featured guest speaker at breakfast, Mike Smith from the Stowmarket Food Bank. He reminded us that the demand for their services climbs in the school summer holidays.

The Food Bank, which reaches its seventh anniversary in October, operates from the Hillside Community Centre. It has found that demand from families in crisis has been steadily rising, particularly since the introduction of Universal Credit last May.

Demand rose by 50% in the first three months of 2019 compared with 2018 and 70% of this was caused by delays in receiving benefits.

The Food Bank delivers help to people as far away as Claydon and Bramford, he said.

Mike emphasised that all families have to be referred to the food bank and said that people would stop donating if they did not feel the organisation was trustworthy.

Throughout the summer, he said, they would be running a holiday programme, including some entertainment from musicians and magic acts sponsored by Hopkins Homes. In addition, there would be a community lunch club every Wednesday at the Children’s Centre and every Friday at St Peter’s Church Hall.  Places need to be booked and people can call 01449 616091 to book.

They will also be running a pop-up shop two days a week at the Hillside Centre, offering “end of the day” fresh produce kindly donated by Asda, Tesco and Lidl.

There is now an app, available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play, which publishes a weekly list of items most needed for donation.

 

Tell us what you want

Allan is happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your want lists) to [email protected].

 

Dates for your diary:

 

 August Coffee  August Breakfast
Needham Market Community Centre The Mix, Stowmarket
Friday, August 2

Friday, August 16

10.00am-12noon Starting at 6.45am

For more information contact Keely Taylor

phone: 01449 770965

e-mail: [email protected]

 

Anyone who has a story to publicise should contact marketing officer Alison Withers:

[email protected]

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