Shocking Child Poverty Figures Announced Today - Bath Foodbank Provides Lifeline - Can You Help?
With the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) predicting the biggest drop for 'middle-income families' since the 1970's, according to the BBC today - the Trussell Trust's Bath Foodbank is a timely addition to the city. The IFS figures predict 3.1 million children in poverty by 2013 - a sobering thought in the run up to Christmas... But as Bath Foodbank's Jillian Tempo reveals, its not simply at Christmas that many Bathonians are in need of emergency food rations.
(PICTURES: FOODBANK ORGANISING AT WORK, BATH FOODBANK LOGO, FOOD, GENESIS TRUST LOGO, MAKE POVERTY HISTORY, THE TUSSELL TRUST LOGO)
Find out why we need a Bath Foodbank, who will benefit from it and how you can help in this Q&A with Emma!
Please tell us about your role with Foodbank Bath?
It’s my role to make sure we have the stock of food we need to meet the demand 
from our Foodbank distribution points so that when somebody comes to us with a Foodbank voucher we can supply them with three days of nutritionally balanced food.
How did Foodbank Bath come about?
Bath Foodbank is part of a national scheme set up by the Trussell Trust in Salisbury. There are well over 100 TT foodbanks in the UK. Bath is not an obvious candidate for a foodbank but there is certainly poverty and hardship in and around Bath – even if it can seem well hidden.
How does Foodbank Bath operate?
Various professionals (social workers and health workers) and charities have a supply of Foodbank vouchers and act as our referrers. Between them, they can issue up to a maximum of three vouchers per person. The voucher can be exchanged for food at one of our distribution points.
The food is donated by members of the public – particularly at supermarket collection days and schools’ and churches’ appeals. Currently, we have tonnes of harvest collection food rolling in.
Why is Foodbank so key in today's society? Why is it so important for a city like Bath?
The demand for food aid is increasing for every foodbank we talk to. More people are losing their jobs and benefits are being restricted. In Bath, there are a lot of people in full-time work but on low incomes so an unexpected bill can really cause a huge problem. Many housebound people are suffering from increased fuel charges.
Who will benefit from Foodbank?
Any one with a short-term need for food. Projects run by organisations like Genesis Trust and the Salvation Army continue to care for those in longer term need.
Who will administer the food?
Any food donated is delivered to our warehouse facility in Bathampton, where it’s sorted into food-type and use-by date. We only collect long life and tinned foods. No fresh or frozen foods. We then make up orders for our distribution points – currently at Manvers Street cafe and soon in Twerton too.
Foodbank has been featured on the media nationally, why is it such a popular charity organisation do you think?
It seems quite shocking to me that we need foodbanks but increasing poverty means that people locally are going hungry. Although foodbanks in America and Canada are common and well-established, it’s a relatively new concept for us.
Donors like to know exactly what’s happening to their donations and it’s fairly obvious that if you give a can of beans, all of that will be going to a person in need.
What are your hopes for Foodbank's growth and success in Bath?
We have to hope we can meet the demand for emergency food aid quickly and 
without causing embarrassment to recipients. We can also offer prayer support and we have links with other advice agencies locally so our clients can be put in touch with any help they might need.
What are your practical needs for the growth and establishment of Foodbank? (Money, donations, volunteers?)
Our overheads are being kept to a minimum but we are now paying rent for increased warehousing space and we have other expenses so regular cash donations are really important.
Our major need is for volunteers to help with the sorting of food (during the working day), handing out shopping lists at supermarket collections and perhaps organising collections at their workplace (especially useful when we know we’re running out of a particular food).
Food donations of course are very welcome. Our shopping list is available on our website, and we have a Facebook group which we’d love people to join so they know what’s going on. Food can be delivered to Genesis Trust on James Street West or at the Furniture Project.
How can anyone reading this get involved?
We have loads of ways people can help! We especially need people to take care of 
publicity, fund-raising, prayer support, health and safety and administration.
Please contact Paul Solly at Genesis, if you’re interested on: 01225 463549.
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