Feeding Newham

From "People Powered Forest Gate & Maryland - Finished"

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Proposed budget

GBP 20,000

Description

June 2024 Update:

Our project has been running really well we have had 3 stalls at Woodgrange market and 2 stalls at Emmanuel church. We deliver 1000 leaflets around the Forest Gate area the week before, advising the times and where the stall will be held. We have had a very good turnout. Our next stall is on the 22nd June 9am-12pm at Henniker point. We request people to bring the leaflet along with them to collect their free bag of food however we have also been approached by a number of local homeless people and other residents in need which we have been able to take their details and also provide them with a bag of food.

The monthly food bank has highlighted the scale of deprivation amongst older people and they appear to be quite hesitant when approaching us whilst apologising.

We have tried to link them up with neighbourhood team where required.

Project Proposal

we would love to extend our service not only to supplying food banks with free food but to have pop up stalls around the Forest Gate area to reach more of the community that are vulnerable and elderly that are in need of a free bag of food and they don’t have to travel as far to collect it. We would love to have 1000 leaflets printed and distributed in the surrounding area of where the pop stall would be so maybe one month in the high street one month in the local church the leaflets would go out a week prior to the stall giving the location date and times of the event with also our social media page on it and contact number so if they would like to continue collecting at the different locations they can also follow our page or ring to find out where the next stall would be that way we can move about the Forest Gate area reaching more of the vulnerable people/families and elderly by leafleting different parts each time with the local location for the food stall. Our priority is the health and well-being of newham people and if we can help them by supplying them some free food then let’s do it.

This project reached many Newham residents we gave away over 2000 bags of food which was worth over £60,000 and 120 Hampers which made the residents very happy one lady said it was her first ever Christmas gift. It has been an absolute pleasure to complete this project and reach so many people, we have had many helping hands which we appreciate we are so pleased that this project was a great success.

Comments(11)

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Profile of Charlotte Harrison

Posted by:Charlotte Harrison

3 years ago

Fantastic project it’s nice to see something different other than just planters that get left after the year has ended. You will help Many families, older residents and also vulnerable people. I am more that happy to volunteer if you need an extra pair of hands

1 like

Profile of Christine Foucher

Posted by:Christine Foucher

3 years ago

Brilliant project that will help So many people on the bread line.

2 likes

Profile of Selene SMP

Posted by:Selene SMP

3 years ago

Could you please share your social media details. We are happy to spread the word.

1 like

Profile of Sarah Balaam

Posted by:Sarah Balaam

3 years ago

@Selene SMP hi yes of course we are food for all on Instagram and wombles wombles on Facebook

Profile of Jay Smith

Posted by:Jay Smith

3 years ago

How much money are you applying for?

Profile of Jay Smith

Posted by:Jay Smith

3 years ago

@Jay Smith Sorry the amount's popped up now it wasn't there when I asked. What is the £20000 being spent on? I agree with your aims but I thought this CIL money was for local residents and community groups who aren't eligible for grants and stuff to add nice things that they want to see in the area. Not a criticism against you guys personally - its a crime that food banks even have to exist but as they do I think you should be funded properly from the government or council not through these community improvement schemes. Food isn't improvement, it's a basic need! Again not a personal criticism.

Profile of Sarah Balaam

Posted by:Sarah Balaam

3 years ago

@Jay Smith Hi Jay we are applying for £20,000 the most voted for category is health and well-being and what we do helps people’s heath and well being, I understand you may think that the council should fund this out of a different pot of money however they don’t in fact we haven’t received any funding from them at all, we have tried to apply for many different grants but lots of them are given to the larger charities who have more than a million pound turn over in cash we turn over more than a million pounds worth of food but unfortunately this does not count as we do not turn it into cash it goes straight to the newham residents. We also donate to newham food alliance when we have excess

Profile of Jay Smith

Posted by:Jay Smith

3 years ago

@Sarah Balaam Thank you, i understand where you are coming from but we will have to agree to disagree on what this CIL money should be spent on. Can i ask what the £20000 will be spent on please?

Profile of Sarah Balaam

Posted by:Sarah Balaam

3 years ago

@Jay Smith Yes of course the funding will be spend on printing and delivery of leaflets and recipes cards. We will be moving the stall about in the Forest Gate and Mary land area we will deliver 1000 leaflets around the area the stall will be held a week before giving all the details so hopefully some of our older residents who are struggling will be able to collect in there local area we will also offer a recipe card on the stall for a simple step by step guard of how to cook a particular meal it will also go to things like carrier bags that we will fill with food, fuel, insurances, a top up of food for the bags, a gazebo, temporary storage for the food, and parking. Everyone who helps us with the delivery of the food are all volunteers so there is no overhead cost for wages. I hope this helps take care.