As we all know, the cost of energy, gas and electricity, has increased and will increase again.
In addition to distributing donated food to people who have been referred to us,
Godmanchester Foodbank is providing other help so that people can keep warm this winter.
Although
some
government
support
is
going
to
be
made
available
the
base
cost
is
still
going
to
increase
to
the
point
where
“Heating
or
eating”
will
become
a
question
that
more
and
more people have to answer.
The FoodBank can provide food support, (enough for 3 meals a day for 3 days) up to four
times in 6 months, that is food for 12 days out of 180.
The increased cost of energy means that for many families the question has to be answered
on the other 168 days.
If we add in the fact that families and individuals may have to use pre-payment keys or cards
in their accommodation will then they pay 10 to 15% more for energy used and have no
choice of tariff and this makes the question even more difficult to answer.
The
FoodBank
has
a
small
Fuel
Support
Fund
and
generous
local
people
make
cash
donations
to
support
this.
In
approved
cases
a
volunteer
can
take
some
cash
and
the
client’s
fuel
key
to
a
PayPoint
and
buy
a
reload
on
the
key
-
cash
is
not
given
out.
We
can
do
this
twice a year per client, totalling the equivalent of 1 month’s average fuel cost.
A number of people have generously donated all or part of their Winter Fuel Payment or Fuel
Support payments because they know they can afford to support other people this way.
Working with partners the FoodBank is also providing ‘Warm Bags’ containing a hot water
bottle with a fleecy cover, 2 re-usable microwave dishes and a microwave instruction recipe
book and a knitted blanket.
Godmanchester Community Association (GCA) provided a kick start donation to buy the hot
water bottles and dishes; the recipe book was written and printed by a volunteer and the
blankets were provided by Crafty Saints at All Saints’ Hartford!
The
FoodBank
will
use
non-food
donated
funds
to
match
the
GCA
donation
so
that
the
project can continue.
The
FoodBank
is
very
grateful
for
the
support
we
have
received
from
All
Saints’
Hartford
in
the past and we hope that this will continue in these difficult times.