Meet the Ripon volunteers tackling food poverty

“Two years ago we didn’t do anything like this. Then Covid hit and changed everything."

Many of us will be looking forward to those little touches which make the season of goodwill extra special for all of us - festive foods such as pigs-in-blankets, brandy butter and sherry trifle are at the front of everybody’s minds.

It is easy to forget when we welcome our loved ones on Christmas morning, and laugh and joke and smile as we open our presents, that not everyone is as fortunate as ourselves.

There are those who without the help of others will have few or no presents this year, and there are those, who without assistance from our food banks, may even struggle to find the funds to eat.

Many people find themselves in financial difficulty for the first time in their lives.

Unprecedented demand

Reduced income from having spent many months on furlough and the impact from businesses folding continues to take effect.

Perhaps they have long Covid and are unable to work, perhaps they have delayed treatment for another illness caused by the pressure of the pandemic on the NHS.

Without help, some people won’t have presents this year, and are struggling to find the funds to eat

There are as many reasons as there are people who need help.

This year food banks are reporting unprecedented demand as the after-effects of the virus continue to impact a massive number of people.

In this month’s Team North Yorkshire, community reporter Louise Perrin talks to some of the people who aim to make a difference by volunteering with organisations tackling food insecurity.

Ripon Community House Food Support provides emergency food parcels for people in crisis in Ripon, Boroughbridge and the surrounding villages.

Reduced income from having spent many months on furlough and the impact from businesses folding continues to take effect

Each food parcel contains enough food for 3-5 days and contains non-perishable, nutritionally balanced food items.

Suzanne Bowyer, who runs Ripon Community House where the Food Support project is based said: “Two years ago we didn’t do anything like this.

“Then Covid hit and changed everything.

“For the first three months of the pandemic, the supermarkets gave substantial donations. Morrisons for example gave a pallet of food each week and they all had collection points.

Ripon Community House Food Support provides emergency food parcels for people in crisis in Ripon, Boroughbridge and the surrounding villages

“A lot came from the community, people were astoundingly supportive and generous, it was really humbling.

“Ripon is relatively small, but as we’re a community building, people could be popping in for anything, it’s more discreet that way.

“For people’s mental health it was also really important for people to come into the building on a regular basis.”

Tackling food waste

The Food Support initiative doesn’t only operate as a food bank. Every Wednesday is Waste not Wednesday.

Suzanne said: “It’s aimed at reducing food waste and is open to all, those who care about the environment, young mums and pensioners. We often have a queue before we open up.”

Each food parcel contains enough food for 3-5 days and contains non-perishable, nutritionally balanced food items

Ripon Community House is primarily staffed by volunteers. Linda Cheesewright started helping out when she retired five years ago.

Linda, who used to work in accounts, said: “I wanted to do something to get me out of the house and to help people.

“I sort out the donations as they come in and date them so we can see fairly quickly when they need to be used by.

“I enjoy doing it, sorting things out and putting them in order.”

Chris Garbutt also began volunteering when she retired. Chris visits Aldi on a Monday and Tuesday to collect the supermarket’s weekly contribution.

She said: “It can be anything. Whatever they can no longer put on the shelves to sell. Recently we’ve had a lot of short-dated mince pies and eggs.

“If they send us items in damaged packs they go down into the kitchen where another volunteer cooks up meals and baked goods which are put on sale on a Wednesday.

“She’s very good, she comes in and checks what there is that needs to be used and bakes accordingly. She makes a lot of quiches, crumbles, casseroles and cottage pies.

“I’ve been doing this for about six years, I had taken early retirement and I was looking for something worthwhile to fill my hours.

“I find it very satisfying, they’re a great crowd of people to be working with and they really do appreciate the volunteers.

“You’re helping people that need a little bit of support, if you want to help Community House come along and offer to volunteer or speak to someone on reception.”

How you can help

Donations of dried goods, toiletries, tinned food (especially items such as Fray Bentos pies) and long-life milk can be left at Ripon Community House Monday to Thursday between 9am and 3pm, or if you would like to get in touch email [email protected]