The hidden side of Thame – Food poverty

MOST of us have been hit by the current financial crisis. Some more than others, and an increasing number of households right here in our community are struggling at times to makes ends meet in the most basic way: to put food on the table.

The Sharing Life Trust, in cooperation with other local charities and citizens groups, aims to relieve the pressure of food poverty by providing a few days-worth of solid food to tide families over during a crisis period. The packages are entirely reliant on donations (in kind or financially) and are made up of non-perishable foodstuffs such as cereal, pasta, fruit squash, canned vegetables and rice.

While it may be a revelation to many that there are households in our community who need to use this service, it seems to be helping an increasing number of people. The Sharing Life Trust reports that while 150 packages were distributed in the whole of 2012, as of April 2013, 116 packages have already been given out.

These figures reflect wider national trends. In October 2012, food charity FareShare reported that charities nationwide saw a 59% increase in the need for food packages. According to a 2012 survey by the Guardian Teacher Network, almost half of all teachers have taken food in for their hungry students.

Most of Foodbank recipients are referred through one of the Sharing Life Trust?s partner organizations, such as the Citizen?s Advice Bureau, Social Services and Toogle, the community information, advice and referral service. Those who self-refer to the Sharing Life Trust must meet their criteria, to ensure food packages are distributed fairly.

For the direct recipients of the Foodbank project, reasons for their need vary, and circumstances change from case to case. According to John Hulett, of the Sharing Life Trust: ?while there is no one dominant reason,? a possible key factor for many is that ?food prices and inflation have increased, while benefits have not kept up.” Other factors may include a sudden breakdown in family relations, or financial circumstances, such as debt, leading to unexpected gaps in budgets.

These factors may be linked to wider socio-economic issues, such as an increasing cost of living and unemployment. Ultimately, a poor financial position for a number of households is at the heart of the issue. However, this is something that is simple for concerned citizens to help out with. The Sharing Life Trust welcomes donations from people with a little to spare.

Thame shoppers can buy some of the following items during their regular shop, and drop them off at one of the designated collection points: Thame Town Hall Information Centre (Monday-Wednesday 9.00am ? 5.00pm, Thursday 10.00am-5.00pm, Friday 9.00am ? 4.30pm), Thame Library (Mon,Tues,Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Thurs 9.00am-7.00pm, Sat 9.30am-4.30pm), St Mary?s Parish Church and Barley Hill Church (Sundays only):

large packet of breakfast cereal
UHT milk (1litre pack)
tinned soup
fruit juice, longlife (1 litre pack)
bottle of fruit squash
500g pasta
jar of pasta sauce
tin of baked beans or spaghetti
1kg packet of rice
tinned vegetables
tinned fish (e.g. tuna)
tea bags
jar of instant coffee
potato (instant mash or tinned)
tinned meat/meat meal (e.g. steak & kidney)
tinned fruit
sugar (500g bag)
packet of biscuits
Pack of washing machine powder (a useful additional non-food item)

NOTE: So that stock of one particular item do not mount up and there are shortages of others, the Sharing Life website shopping list is updated every week.

SOURCE: Contributed by Will Worley

IMAGE: The Mayor of Thame, Nigel Champken Woods, presents a cheque for £1,250 to Phil Stratton of the Sharing Life Trust. The trust is one of the Mayor’s chosen charities and the money was raised at the Mayor’s Big Bash recently