If you cannot afford to buy basic food essentials, help is at hand. In partnership with the Horsham District Food Bank (Horsham Matters), there is now a store of food essentials in the village ready for delivery in the Henfield area.
Most people fall into food poverty through no fault of their own. It can be triggered by a change in either personal or financial circumstances. Whatever the causes of food poverty, the impact is enormous, and it affects all ages: Children may go hungry in the school holidays because they have no access to free school meals; working parents on low incomes may go without food in order to feed their children; and the elderly may have to choose between eating or paying their heating bill.
So, what do you do if you find yourself in crisis and struggling to afford food for yourself and your family? Firstly, remember you are not alone. Horsham District Food Bank has seen a 35% increase in need over the past year.
Food banks provide emergency food parcels to those in crisis on a short-term basis. They also provide individuals with support and advice to help them resolve their problems. Until now, any Henfield resident in crisis would have to travel to Horsham, Burgess Hill or Shoreham to access support, but a Henfield initiative (in partnership with Horsham Matters) is about to trial emergency food parcel deliveries in the village.
Accessing an emergency food parcel from the Henfield Food Bank will involve a slightly different process to other foodbanks. Instead of having to obtain a referral voucher, all you need to do is phone Horsham Matters (Monday to Friday 9am-2pm) on 0300 124 0204 and ask for the Food Bank.
Applicants will not have to meet any specific criteria – only that they are currently unable to buy food. Their situation will be assessed by a trained adviser and, if appropriate, they will be referred for an emergency stop-gap food delivery from the Henfield Food Bank and given advice on where they can access further support. The delivery of the emergency food parcel will be discreetly carried out by local volunteers, in supermarket carrier bags, by volunteers from The Henfield & District Lions.
This trial initiative, in partnership with Horsham Matters, has been instigated by BN5 Magazine, Councillor Mike Morgan (Horsham District Council) and the Henfield & District Lions charity all of whom strongly believe that food poverty is unacceptable in our community. Thanks go to Henfield Churches, St Peter’s School, Henfield Medical Centre and Henfield Youth Club representatives who have lent their support. We sincerely hope that the service won’t be needed, but if it is, Henfield people are here to help.
Sarah Butler & Emma Osman
