Across Norfolk and Waveney, as in other areas in the country, a rapidly growing network of food banks has emerged. More than 180 churches in the Diocese of Norwich support these charities through volunteers and funding, with 25 offering their church halls as storage areas.
Many Christians are able to express their faith in real and practical ways through supporting food banks.
To highlight the ongoing and increasing need for the services provided by these vital community hubs, all three bishops in the Diocese of Norwich have visited sites in their relevant areas.
Bishop Graham recently attended the food bank warehouse in Norwich, where he met with staff, volunteers and clients to discuss their experiences. Reflecting on these conversations, he said:
“Food is never the real issue. There are things going on in people’s lives why they need food banks that need to be, offered to be helped and supported. And that’s why Trussell and the Norwich Foodbank works in partnership with a number of other charities and agencies to try to really help people out of the need for food to be provided through the food bank.
“Never do I go to a charity and say you shouldn’t exist, but really, in today’s society, in this country, the fact that we have food banks is a scourge on us all.”
Hannah Worsley, the Project Manager at Norwich Foodbank, added:
“It’s really important to understand that across the county there are loads of different food banks, some part of the Trussell community, some independent, and each of them will have their own needs. It could be volunteers, it could be donations of money or donations of food. It could be signing a campaign.
“We just want to also say a really big thank you to the church community. Not just the Anglican diocese, but all different churches, for the great support that they give us, with buildings, with people, with prayer. Because we couldn’t do it without you.”
In September, Bishop Ian attended the launch of a new warehouse facility in Great Yarmouth. The need is growing so rapidly that the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank required a much bigger space for storing the necessary volumes of food.
Bishop Ian blessed the warehouse as part of a launch event and said:
“What the team here are doing is putting their faith on the line, coming here and serving the people of Yarmouth and Gorleston in such a way that makes a difference and shows that they care.”
Revd Matthew Price, whose St Mary Magdalene Church in Gorleston serves many of those who use the food bank, added:
“The food bank represents the first line of what we do to help the community, when people find themselves in a real crisis. This is often the way we first meet people in our community, because they’re in crisis. But we then want to get beneath the surface and help them work out what are the causes that have meant they are in need of the food bank and then support them going forward.”
During a visit to King’s Lynn Foodbank, which occupies a unique location overlooking the River Great Ouse, Bishop Jane noted:
“Universal Credit isn’t adequate for some families…and really remember that many families in receipt of benefits are working families. They are in the position that the combination of the benefits and the work doesn’t add up enough money to pay the rent and to eat and to heat a home. We’re coming into winter. Please consider writing to your MP ahead of the budget to see if we can’t begin to address this. But also get involved with your local food bank, volunteer if they need that, and please donate.”
Discussing the continued rise in clients needing support, Helen Gilbert, Strategic Project Manager at King’s Lynn Foodbank, said:
“It’s been quite a steep incline. Firstly caused by Covid, initially, but that fell off quite quickly. But the cost-of-living crisis has made a massive difference. We were still supporting a fair proportion of families, but we’re helping far more now. And we’re seeing a lot more people who are working, but also need to rely on the food bank in order to support themselves and their families, which is really hard.”
Foodbanks in numbers:
Norwich Foodbank:
- In the year 2023 (Jan-Dec), Norwich Foodbank saw a 12% rise on 2019 figures – feeding 13,628 people – of which 4,817 were children
Yarmouth & Magdalen Foodbank:
- Last year (2023) the project distributed 5,361 food parcels, 1,747 which were for local children
Kings Lynn Foodbank
- 6,699 parcels – a 4% increase on the year before and a 35% increase on 5 years ago, 2382 of those parcels were distributed to children under 16 years old
Other Foodbanks in Norfolk and Waveney:
South Norfolk & Waveney Foodbanks | Norfolk Community Directory