Rachel's Story

"Benefits delayed - Child tax credits not come through. Washing machine broken leading to extra costs so money tight, too tight to pay for everything. Energy costs are too much."

Our thanks to Rachel for sharing this with us.

Brian's Story

"I find myself homeless and without money at 50 years of age. Life was going so well. A BSc, MSc and Phd in Medical Science led to jobs with the MoD, Unilever and then to Research Director near Chester where I lived with my wife of 30 years and 2 daughters. Further directorships in Surrey then London followed. Then crash, I lost my job due to lack of funding. The government has destroyed R&D [research and development] in the UK. Family death, hit and run reduced legs to shrapnel and almost blind. Can't do job anymore. 11 months NHS waiting list for 30 minute operation. Wife affair, British judicial system forced me to leave and be homeless, bank accounts emptied. Housing solutions got me a safe seat, sitting in a chair with winos and junkies. Then a flat in a nice hostel, weeks to get benefits. Endless forms to fill in but I can't read them. At least safe secure and warm. No food in flat and no money. [Local Agency] said to come here. V. grateful. Need ops to get a job or 30 years experience thrown on the scrap heap. Very few R&D jobs left. Thank God for lovely people and charity. Will fight way back up. But time time time crushes the soul. We are not scroungers. God bless."

Our thanks to Brian for sharing his story with us.

Wolverham Pupils Donate Generously

Thank you to everyone at Wolverham Primary and Nursery School for their generous donations!

"Share A Meal With Someone You Have Never Met"

Mrs Marsh (Learning Mentor), Joel (Deputy Head Boy), Sophie (Deputy Head Girl), Chloe (Head Girl), Kyle (Head Boy) and Ms Finch (Head Teacher) drop off their donation at one of our distribution centres (left to right)

The pupils at Westminster Primary School have been thinking about what it means to ‘Share a meal with someone you have never met’  during their Harvest Assembly this year. They talked about how important it is to share food to ensure people in our local community don’t go hungry. Pupils then celebrated with songs and poems and all staff members donated fresh foods to create sharing platters for our children to share after assembly with parents and guests who had come to watch the assembly.

Chloe (Head Girl) said that it was important to donate to Foodbank “because not everybody can afford food and this helps them to survive when times are tough.”

Sean's Story

"I have had to use the Foodbank today as I have been put on a sanction for JSA, because I was at CAB sorting out my housing benefit and could not make an appointmnent for the IT suite. I phoned up as soon as I realised I could not make the IT suite and told them I was at CAB sorting my housing benefit but I was still put on a sanction."

Our thanks to Sean for sharing his story with us.

It's A Busy Day At The Warehouse!

Thanks to everyone in today: Jonny, Colin, Tony, Patricia, Ann, Mark, Geof, Cath & Pete.

In just one morning we've taken delivery of in excess of 850 kilograms of food and our deliveries team has just gone out on its next collection round! One of our Warehouse Co-ordinators, Pete Stelfox commented, "Today has been extremely busy. We've had all hands to the deck: we've even roped the admin team in to lend a hand. It was great that the team at Lloyds Bank were able to visit us for the first time today too. We're impressed that their initial donation exceeded 200 kilograms, all collected since last Thursday!"

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far this harvest and helped to ensure that we can continue to provide emergency food to local people in crisis!

Patrick's Story

"I have type two diabetes, eczema ... [illegible word]... and asthma. [The] jobcentre wanted me to work in a recycling plant for 30 hours a week in a recycling plant for no pay for four weeks. I told the jobcentre that my doctor says I should not work in that environment. [Name removed] and [Name removed] at the jobcentre did not care. They are a disgrace."

Thanks to Patrick for sharing his story with us.

A Massive THANK YOU to Stuart and all at St Mary's!

Stuart Bull, who coordinates food donations at St Mary Without-the-Walls, Handbridge, pictured with a portion
of the 180kg of food donated at Harvest for West Cheshire Foodbank.

Eric's Story

"I had an outstanding debt and was threatened with court proceedings if I did not pay it in full. I am on JSA and when I had paid it off I had no money for any other purpose. I have had to apply to the Foodbank this week."

Our thanks to Eric for sharing his situation with us.

Harry's Story

"Been sanctioned for 2 weeks due to a misunderstanding regarding some pay slips for doing a paper round that have been sent off to Job Centre and seem to have got mislaid. Am without finance for food for at least two weeks."

Thank you so much to Harry for sharing his story with us.