We will be hearing from volunteers about the project
Catford South Residents have been asked to help support them by making donations at this meeting. If you have bought anything with you we are very grateful. Please leave it with the food bank stall or by the tea and coffee area before you leave tonight.
To find out more about the Whitefoot and Downham Community Food Plus Project, who they support, ways to donate, and how to volunteer, follow the link herewww.wdcfplus.org.uk follow on twitter@wdcfplus
Minutes:
Theresa Webb speaking on behalf of the food project
Due to problems with the technology the PowerPoint Presentation is unavailable but is available on www.lovecatford.co.uk
Theresa: Lovely to be here this evening I am here as a consultant nutritionist for the food bank, based over at Hope Church on Whitefoot lane, we have a wonderful collection of donated food from attendees here this evening. Thank you for that.
The Whitefoot and Downham Community Food Plus Project was set up by Cllr Janet Daby on 2013 to combat some of the deprivation in the Whitefoot and Downham area. Since 2013 I am one of the volunteers. It takes place on a weekly bases. It is an award winning project, the Mayor of Lewisham and Heidi Alexander have spoken in support of us.
The Project is there to support people experiencing hardship and poverty. Our focus is on provision of food and work with partners and voluntary agencies in the area, such as Mind, Pastoral services and so on. Community volunteers come together to learn how to provide the support and advice and the provision of food. We also work with Supermarket partners such as Lidle or Sainsbury’s who donate surplus food to the food bank such as perishable foods, bananas, lettuce, cucumber etc…at the end of the day. We provide toiletries, eggs, juice, tins, packets and so on.
If you are interested in supporting this you can donate food, as many have given generously this evening. Also a website called www.localgiving.org you can donate money to the project through that. Actual food bank is on a Thursday night at 7-8.30.
Supports a range of visitors, approximately 30 visitors per week, but actually supports around 70 people individuals as well as families. The area is like an open plan space divided into reception, where visitors are welcomed. We support people to try new food and with new recipes and de mystify some of the ingredients, we are working to help on nutrition and always looking at encouraging good health, as well as engaging partners and volunteers.
Heidi Alexander said (paraphrased) ‘The Whitefoot and Downham Community Food Plus Project provides a lifeline for many in our community who are suffering real hardship. The fact that so many people are struggling to put food on the table in 21st century London is a tragic reminder of how divided our city can be. The response of volunteers, churches and community organisations is inspiring throughout Lewisham and one of the very best examples is The Whitefoot and Downham Community Food Plus Project’ She continued to praise the hard work of everyone involved in the project.
Anything that we have left over goes to AFRIL who support refugees. We work with them so nothing goes to waste, we are minimising food waste as well.
I have a number of leaflets at the back on how to donate, you can also volunteer, any questions?
Q. How can you refer?
A. Self-referral and also a number of referral
pathways, from agencies, NHS, CAB etc.
Q. How long do people stay on?
A. usually between 6 weeks and 6th
months
S.
St Andrews stated that they work with the Lewisham
Foodbank,
Q.
Is it only food that you help with?
A. No it is important to also provide people with
sanitary protection, general toiletries, certainly not just
food,
You are welcome to email us if you have any further questions.