As we begin to go back to normal after our busy Christmas schedules, some people might be thinking about what this new year could bring. And as we leave the season of giving behind us, some may be wondering how they can keep this momentum going and continue giving.
Foodbanks for many are an integral part of the community, and provide the essentials for those who may be struggling. Foodbanks typically receive an influx of donations before Christmas but the momentum tends to die down slightly into the new year. EssexLive visited Southend Foodbank to find out what life is like for those in our community who rely on the foodbank.
One foodbank user, Katie* (her name has been changed to protect her identity), was recently in hospital because of a heart condition which causes her to black out. After suffering from an episode, Katie was unable to continue working in her position. Unfortunately, she is unable to have medicine for her condition, and this has left her having to spend weeks at a time in hospital. While in hospital, Katie missed a benefits appointment, and was told she now had to wait six weeks until her next payment. She has four children.
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She said: “Because I’m not on medication for my condition, I cannot get any PIP. I’ve got to wait until I’m 40 to have a pacemaker, because I’m too young right now. In the meantime, I can’t get a job, I can’t look after my children, and I can’t do anything about it.
“The school gave me a voucher for [the foodbank]. It’s just a struggle, because everything’s got a backlash. I’ve got things going on constantly. I can’t afford to live just because I’ve got a health problem. I was in work for years before I had this heart problem. They’re expecting me to live on £150 a week with four children. That’s supposed to pay bills, school trips, school uniform, food, electric, gas. That doesn’t even cover half a week. I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.”
(Image: Laura Fidler/Reach PLC)
A man who uses the foodbank and was once homeless uses the foodbank once a month. Chris*, who’s name has also been changed to protect his identity, was homeless two years ago. He told EssexLive: “None of my family knew that I was living in tents. I kept it away from everyone because I was too proud. We’re human, and sometimes you need help. You’ve just got to open up and reach out if you need help. It’s there for you.
“I chose to go one way. I did turn to drugs at first, but I got myself off them. I got clean, and I thought if I can do it, anyone can do it. It helps me to help other people and give them the belief that they can get clean, get on the straight and narrow, and get housed again. If I can get one person out of ten clean, off drugs, and back in housing, then I think it’s a job well done. Now I’m striving to help more people.”
Although he is now living in a more stable situation, Chris still relies on the foodbank to get by: “I’m struggling financially to pay my bills, and buy food, so as it gets to the end of the month, I generally use the foodbank maybe once every month, or once every two months, just to survive.
“I don’t want to keep using these places, but the help is there because we need it. It’s for families, single parents, fathers. If they don’t use it, they don’t survive. It’s as simple as that.”
‘I’ve had to use foodbanks for a year because my job doesn’t pay enough’
Stuart Emslie, 35, also knows what it is like to go through some dark times. He said: “I’m grateful for it all, for all the help I get. I’m grateful for anything I get in life.” At age six, Stuart was placed in foster care, following the death of his mother.
Although he was based with the same family until he was 18, Stuart is now using the foodbank service in his thirties as his job clearing vegetation on the railway does not pay him enough to last the month. He says that he has been using foodbanks for the past year.
“You get a sense of pride, and you meet new people, and the ladies here are lovely. They’re very pleasant to talk to.” For Stuart, the volunteer staff are like an extension of family. “You can talk to them, and tell them about your problems. At first I felt embarrassed, but after a while I realised that everyone needs help.”
Stuart knows what it’s like to have someone treat him with real kindness. He shared what he feels was the kindest thing another person has ever done for him. “When I was a kid, my mum died of cancer, so my mate took me to her grave. My dad died when I was 18, and my mate took me to his grave too.”
He added: “I find it hard to be sad about things. I’ve got a job, I’ve got a roof over my head, I’ve got amazing family, and amazing friends. I can’t be sad about it”
‘Foodbanks have been amazing’
Hilly Franks, 84, has volunteered at Southend Foodbank since it opened 11 years ago. She said: “They’re not people out for what they can get. They’re desperate. People have forgotten that there’s hungry people out there. I think it is getting worse.
“Some people are so low, they don’t know how to [sort their life out]. It’s so sad when they’re so low, and so desperate, they don’t have anything. They don’t have any light. The foodbanks have been amazing. I don’t think we could all do without them. More people would be taking things from the supermarkets because they’re so desperate.
“We can talk to them, and they can tell us their troubles. We can’t always help them, but sometimes, by talking it out, they find their own solution. Being here helps me appreciate my own life and what I have.”
As we look to the new year, with our own goals in mind, thinking about others in our community who desperately need help is a worthwhile use of our time. The foodbank in Southend has eight distribution centres after originally opening in only one room.