PRESS RELEASE

Harlow Foodbank feeds14,017 people

Since April 2009 Harlow Foodbank has fed over 14,000 people in crisis with emergency food. It has this year distributed 65.5 tonnes of donated food in Harlow and the surrounding area, through its referral system working in partnership with 154front-line partners. The foodbank now feeds an average of 313 people each month (209 adults & 104 children) and referrals this year have increased by 5.5% in comparison to the same period last year.

The foodbank collects donated food from its partners in Harlow and the surrounding area, who include 76 churches, 38 schools, 4 supermarkets (Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s & Waitrose), 2 banks(Santander & Halifax) and many individual people across the town. LOKnSTORE in Harlow is the main location for the foodbank operation, much of which is donated, with additional storage facilities being provided free by Harlow Council at the Latton Bush Business Centre.

St Paul’s Church in Harlow Town Centre provides a central location for the foodbank satellite service, based in the Upper Room, and Harlow Salvation Army provides cover for the foodbank service on Wednesdays at their Tendring Road location.The foodbank has a team of over 60 local volunteers working at their warehouse, satellite centre and with supermarket collections.

The main reasons for people using the foodbank are: Benefit Delay/Sanctions, Low Income, Homelessness, Benefit Cuts, Refused Crisis Loan, Debt, Unemployment, Domestic Violence, Sickness and Delayed Wages. Over 50% of referrals to the foodbank are due to some form of benefit change, delay or sanctions.

Gary Knott, Director of Community Services says:’The work of Harlow Foodbank continues to grow and develop and we have seen an increase year on year in referrals from our front-line professional partners as many local people still find it difficult to make ends meet, even when in employment. As always we are very grateful to all of our community partners and individual supporters who provide us with both non-perishable and fresh food donations and also those people who support our “500 CLUB” with their financial donations each month”

APPEAL – Harlow Foodbank urgently needs financial support as well as food donations as it continues to support more people each month. We are asking people to donate £2 or more each month via their bank / building society to the “Harlow Foodbank 500 Club” and if anyone can help they should ring the MRCT office on 01279 724515

Notes to the editor:

  • People wishing to donate food or to make a regular financial donation towards the work of Harlow Foodbank should contact Gary Knott on 01279 724515
  • Foodbanks actively involve the local community in helping local people in crisis.
  • Clients are referred to Harlow Foodbank by frontline care professionals who are best positioned to identify people in crisis. Care professionals issue their client with a foodbank voucher which can be redeemed for three days of emergency food.
  • Foodbanks also provide signposting to agencies that are able to help provide longer term solutions to any problems, for example, debt counselling.
  • Clients are referred to foodbanks for a huge variety of reasons, including: redundancy, benefit delay, unemployment, illness, debt, an unexpected bill, or bereavement. Most people who use the foodbank are not homeless.
  • Harlow falls into the top 30% of most deprived authorities in England
  • 22% of children in Harlow are living below the poverty line
  • For more information visit:
  • Harlow Foodbank can be found on Facebook & Twitter @harlowfoodbank
  • Interviews and photographs are available on request.

Contact Details: