Alicia Kearns MP met the team at Rutland Foodbank to hear more about their role in supporting local residents in Rutland.
Rutland Foodbank was formed in 2013 and supports local people who find themselves in crisis or struggling with the cost of living.
The Foodbank works using a voucher referral system, with vouchers issued by local agencies, such as Citizens Advice Rutland, Local Schools, or Rutland County Council frontline staff. Rutland Foodbank is part of a national network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussel Trust, to tackle poverty and hunger across the UK.
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said:
“I am so grateful for the important work Rutland Foodbank does to support local residents who find themselves in crisis or struggling with the cost of living. We discussed how I might help those who need their support, and I look forward to working more closely with them in coming years.
“Rutland Foodbank was a pillar of support throughout the pandemic when we saw greater need than before, and Ali and the team responded by launching a service that went out to those in need in our villages - thank you to all the volunteers and drivers.”
Ali Wainwright, Chair of Rutland Foodbank, said:
“We were very pleased to have the opportunity to explain how the Rutland Foodbank operates. We discussed in more depth Guarantee our Essentials campaign which is asking that the principle of social security payments keeping up with the cost of living is recognised as vital to help people live with dignity.
“Having an opportunity to discuss the experiences of ten years of providing Foodbank support across Rutland was important to us. We had the chance to explain that there’s no typical foodbank client and it could be anybody at any time and that for many individuals and households just one or two emergency parcels helps them get through a difficult period.
“We were pleased to discuss with Alicia the importance of delivering across the county as many of our clients struggle to afford transport so couldn’t access the Foodbank if they had to collect.
“As part of the wider voluntary and community network in Rutland we explained how we support individuals and households across Rutland. Working together helps address a range of needs for those affected by the Cost of Living Crisis.”
