17 March 2020

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

An update for both Volunteers and Clients

In response to the current, and changing, COVID-19 situation in the UK, the Steering Team of the Foodbank wanted to update you on our emerging plans both for support of Clients as well as keeping our Volunteers safe.

We continue to follow advice and guidance issued by HM Government & Public Health England.

For our Volunteers:

If a volunteer has any symptoms – or has been in contact with someone who has symptoms – please do not come into the Jubilee Community Centre (JCC), please review the latest government advice, and if necessary call 111 and follow their advice. If you need to self-isolate, and subsequently need help yourself, please call the Foodbank mobile on 07983 209940 and we will look to support, subject to available resources. If it comes to those over 70 having to self-isolate, please let us know, in confidence, and we will adjust our rotas accordingly. Your safety is paramount.

For our Clients:

Please also follow the advice as above.

For as long as is possible it will be ‘Business as Usual’. However, we are already experiencing shortages of certain items (see below). We may have to revert to Emergency Food Boxes, if shortages persist. There are no current plans to close the Jubilee Centre, but we have to be aware that this could happen. Whatever happens, subject to available food donations and volunteers, we are looking at a range of options, such as collect only from the Jubilee Centre or deliveries to the most vulnerable. Our Facebook page will have the very latest information at

https://en-gb.facebook.com/foodbankEG/

For our Referral Agencies:

In extremis, you can email us with red vouchers or if you have run out of vouchers, a confidential email giving the same information as per the red voucher plus reasons for food crisis.

Hygiene:

We have handwash, paper towels and surface cleaner readily available in both the Distribution Centre and Warehouse for every session.

We have asked our Distribution Centre Volunteers, if they believe a client is unwell, to request them to leave the JCC and we will arrange safe delivery of food to them subsequently.

We will review advice ahead of every session. We are not trying to alarm, but be pragmatic & sensible. This information will be updated as and when more information becomes available.

Stock update:

We currently need:

• Milk – 1ltr long life green
• Fruit juice -1 ltr long life
• Tinned Carrots
• Washing powder – tablets only (so we can share out)
• Toilet rolls
• Shaving Foam
• Deodorant – both ladies and gents
• Bars of soap
• IN ADDITION we are VERY short of good quality strong BAG-FOR-LIFE type bags. PLEASE add one or two to your donation or recycle some of your old ones?

KEEP WELL & THANK YOU!