As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets, volunteers in Oldham are working with the council to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for those most in need.
With more people struggling to afford basic items such as bread and pasta, as UK food prices rise at a record rate, thousands are turning to foodbanks for help.
Oldham Foodbank has already exceeded the number of food parcels distributed last year by more than 3,600 having fed more than 17,865 people in total including 7201 children, and we've only just entered December.
As the foodbank attempts to keep up with demand, the pressure on donations has never been higher and this is where the work produced by The Hub in Alexandra Park, is making a massive difference to residents living in crisis.
Every week, local volunteers and the council’s Environmental Services are growing, harvesting and packing fresh produce into weekly veg boxes for the foodbank.
While this work originally began during the Covid-19 pandemic to support isolated residents, this effort is valued is even greater than before, as people contend with rising costs.
Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Amanda Chadderton, said: “When I recently visited Oldham Foodbank, I saw first-hand how desperate the situation is becoming as we approach Christmas and the winter period.
“Demand at the foodbank has never been higher and while our residents are hugely generous in their own donations of support, this demand is sadly overtaking supply at an alarming rate.
“That is why I am incredibly grateful to our volunteers and the team at The Hub, for the work they are doing to help tackle food poverty in our borough.
“Many residents are now at crisis level and have nowhere to turn to feed themselves or their families.
“That is why we are committed to do everything we can to help those most in need at this very difficult time.”
This work goes alongside the safety net Oldham Council is already providing to the foodbank, as part of its £3 million cost-of-living support package, as it aims to ensure donations continue to flow and that people do not go hungry this winter.
Tom Lewsihood, Organisational Development Coordinator at Oldham Foodbank, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the fresh produce that is regularly donated to us.
“Times are incredibly hard at the moment and, with the cost of people’s shopping bills continuing to grow, it is becoming harder for people to donate, so we really welcome this additional support.
“We receive all sorts of items every week, from celery and tomatoes to potatoes and onions, all of which makes a huge difference to the lives of those who have nothing.
“But due to the number of people we’re supporting at the moment, we really are in desperate need of all items – that is the reality of our situation – so we really do appreciate everything we receive.”
Residents can get involved in supporting the foodbank via the growing hubs by attending one of the community growing sessions that take place every week.
Sixty-three-year-old volunteer, David Maybury, said he felt useful working at The Hub and that the work he is doing to help those most in need, gives him ‘a purpose in life’.
“Anything I can do to improve their life and give them hope and see other creative ways where they can forward their life, I’m all for it.
“If you grow your own food, you obviously cut down the amount you need to buy.
“So, if everybody did their little bit in their street, or their garden, or even a plant in your house, you could still save a few pennies doing it that way.”
More information on how people can get involved in these sessions is available on the council’s ‘Get Oldham Growing’ website.
In the meantime, if a resident is struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, or is struggling to feed themselves or their family, the council is encouraging them to phone its helpline.
Here they can speak to specialist advisers on how to maximise their income, access emergency support and be referred to the foodbank.
Residents can ring this helpline on 0161 770 7007 between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or they can visit www.oldham.gov.uk/wecanhelp for more information.