About

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Speaker: Bruce Harrison, South Leicester Foodbank

Richard introduced Bruce by telling us that he and Bruce had been friends for around 30 years, having met at church. Bruce is the Operational Manager of South Leicester Foodbank. He thanked us for our recent donation, money raised as a result of the Duck Race. Richard has been a volunteer for 8 years and Maureen for around 18 months.

Food donations are centred in a warehouse facility in Wigston - food packages go out to hubs where they are distributed to the needy public. Unrestricted financial donations help keep the charity afloat. The service originated in a church and helped 650 people and received 14 tons of food. The requests for help grew during the pandemic. There are now 23 hubs throughout the city and county. Sir Peter Soulsby visited recently but it is the county council that provides more support - half the clients are from the city……. Services have grown substantially and there is a move to change the name as more is done than give out food parcels. The warehouse supports 7 other foodbanks along with the many hubs.

In the past there has been no communication between the various food supply charities resulting in some duplication so Bruce told us the Leicester Redistribution Centre was created and this is where the current operations are run from. The warehouse is 8000 square feet - small by supermarket standards but not small for the charity purpose. Some companies donate surplus by the pallet load which can be accommodated in the warehouse set-up; before they would have been turned away! There are around 19 regular donations from businesses and supermarkets, all free to the charity. The warehouse has allowed improvements in logistics and there are now 2 vans to distribute parcels to the hubs.

From a high during pandemic times, donations have started to drop - 60% of the items given out have been bought meaning a greater reliance on financial donations. The Trussell Trust, of which the South Leicester Foodbank is part (a franchise of the Trust but a charity in its own right), have a specific packing list - other organisations vary their included items and do not so reliably fulfil an individuals needs.  Each pack has 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 teas. A forklift has been donated by a well-known company to assist with the lifting of pallets and other heavy deliveries.  Warehouse overheads and the employment of a warehouse manager have increased the costs of the foodbank.

Bruce talked to us about Corporate and Social Responsibility. This is now a big thing and has led to the recruitment of better employees and has provided another funding stream for the foodbank. Companies pay the foodbank to take employees as part of the Responsibility. Foodbanks and poverty have been brought together reducing wastage and increasing efficiency. The Trussell Trust works closely with other areas e.g. Sheffield. Several millions of pounds of food can be purchased at an attractive price through the network and other independent foodbanks can buy from the group at a good price too. Bruce told us it is difficult to buy in bulk from supermarkets as it messes up their ordering system. All of this means no foodbank goes short and therefore no client goes short……..

The foodbank doesn’t just give out food but offers advice to help clients off the poverty treadmill. Partnerships are built up with other agencies e.g. Open Hands Community Trust from whom experts give assistance and advice. These partnerships allow the foodbank to do its own job whilst professionals help with an holistic approach. 6 advisors are an integral part of the operation and £650,000 has been put back into clients pockets as a result. We learnt of a lady who had been paying for care for her husband and had struggled as a consequence for 5 years. As a result of professional help £20,000 has come back to her in Carers Allowance. Bruce also told us of the Personal Independence Payment - the application form is 48 pages long! By helping clients to support themselves, the foodbank is becoming more of an emergency service - clients are informed of and directed to community fridges and coached in budgeting for example. The need for the foodbank is going down so the focus is on those who need the service rather than those who want the service. Independent foodbanks e.g. the one in Beaumont Leys are asking for help. More than 9 foodbanks have been opened up in the villages around Melton Mowbray - rural transport issues prevent village needy from accessing foodbanks in towns and cities.

The new winter fuel payment rules will have a large impact so promotion of pension credit (a lot of folks do not know about/have not applied for) is helping those to get what they deserve. Debt is a big thing. A salary pays off the debt, taking away 10% of income, which then leads folks to the foodbank if an income cannot be increased. No-one is turned away but clients may be pointed to advisors - Bruce told of a man who was paying a substantial sum to a TV company to watch films  and who was pointed to another provider at a fraction of the cost……….

The Kings Centre in Wigston provides lunches - originally attendance was around 15 but now 50 folks are catered for. A centre opening in South Wigston - a hub where you can get a cup of tea and a chat and also advice on a variety of things; other agencies are represented such as the police and MIND. Workshops will help support folks with information, advice etc. Face to face meeting is important when you are troubled. Our donation will help with this side of the service provided by the charity. The generosity of donors and volunteers keeps it going and is helping the community to thrive.