Sheffield Foodbank Campaign

As the season of goodwill approaches Sheffield Business Together are focusing our efforts on supporting 17 foodbanks in the Sheffield Foodbank network, who assist the most vulnerable in our city. We are relaunching our foodbank financial campaign, as this is the most direct way of supporting and allows the foodbanks to tailor provision to need in their locality.

The need

The Trussel trust network, which supports more than 1,330 foodbank centres across the UK has forecast that more than 600,00 people will rely on foodbanks from December this year until February. That will mean almost 100,000 more emergency food parcels are required compared to the same period last year, when a total of 904,000 were handed out. And the charity believes the numbers will continue to rise in the run up to Christmas and into early next year, as many people hit crisis point due to cost-of-living increases. Our foodbanks in Sheffield have experienced over a 100% increase in demand this year and despite their best efforts to address the root cause of food insecurity, they are facing unprecedented demand, dwindling donations, and increased costs. Many people who are employed are having to use foodbanks for the first time as they balance a low income against rising living costs.

Mary came to the foodbank after her self-employed husband had a stroke and the family found themselves negotiating the benefit system for the first time. She was tearful, embarrassed, and kept saying "I used to donate to this foodbank; I can't believe I'm having to use it now". The foodbank can't wave a magic wand and solve the family's health and income problems, but they do provide a listening ear, empathy, and advice.

The background

At the outset of the pandemic, in April 2020, Sheffield Business Together initiated a campaign to support 17 foodbanks in the Sheffield foodbank network. All had faced unprecedented demand, reduced donations and were struggling to support some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Due to your generosity, we have managed to raise over £250,000 since the launch of the campaign (including £25k donated by SYCF from the National Emergencies Fund and £10k from the Sheffield Town Fund). This has been shared on an ongoing basis with the 17 foodbanks in the Sheffield Foodbank network.

We desperately need your help again!

As the festive season approaches, we ask you to kindly consider supporting this appeal. No amount is too small and cumulatively makes a big difference. Please consider if you can spare the cost of a coffee, a days bus fare, parking or donate what you would spend on greeting cards. By donating directly, every penny goes to the foodbanks allowing them to tailor provision to need in their locality. Rachel from Burngreave foodbank explains the impact your donations have.

Rachel from Burngreave food bank explains the difference your donations have made:

"We would not have been able to meet this level of increase in demand without the support of our donors and are so grateful for the generous donations that we received due to the Sheffield Business Together campaign. It's easy for numbers to hide that fact that each food parcel represents a struggle by an individual or family, to put food on the table, and all the accompanying distress and hardship that accompanies this situation. The relief that is seen on some faces as they receive the food parcel tells the true meaning of these donations".

Help and donate today

Please share this appeal with people within your organisation and your professional and private networks.

All donations will be shared with the 17 foodbanks in the network and will bring untold relief to someone facing hardship over the festive period.