Food bank issues plea to Coronation party organisers

Attendees of Coronation parties in London on May 6th are being urged to donate funds to a food bank to ensure schoolchildren don’t go hungry at half term.

Hackney Foodbank is asking everyone organising celebratory street parties or lunches to collect donations for them. The money will be ringfenced for their holiday lunch clubs – funding meals for children during school holidays.

Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, said: “Just £10 can provide lunch for a child for five days during the holidays – for many of the families we support; that means the difference of going hungry or not.

“It’s wonderful the public want the King’s coronation to go with a swing, but amidst all the pomp and ceremony, we ask that they also bear thought for those in Hackney who are malnourished because the cost-of-living crisis has left them unable to afford even the basics.

“If you’re throwing a party or a coffee morning to mark the Coronation this May, please ask your guests to bring along a contribution for Hackney Foodbank.”

Half Term takes place from May 29th until June 2nd and throughout the week Hackney Foodbank will be funding lunches for children in poverty.

An emergency appeal, launched by the charity in January hopes to raise £100,000 to see them through what Pat describes as: “the toughest time in living memory.” Money donated through Coronation events via this link will go to that emergency appeal and will be ring-fenced for lunches for schoolchildren.

The crisis has been fuelled by  a huge spike in demand (increasing by around seven per cent per week) and a drop in food donations. The demographic of visitors to the food bank has changed drastically – with many of those seeking help now described as “working poor.”

Hackney residents can apply to the Council to close their roads so they can host street parties – applications must be made at least four weeks in advance.

If you’re organising a Coronation party and would like to support the food bank, please email info@hackneyfoodbank.org to request artwork/logos to share with your guests.

To donate towards Hackney Foodbank’s lunch club, scan the QR code above or click the link here.

Editor’s Notes

Hackney Foodbank recently marked its 10th anniversary. They are part of a national network of food banks supported by the Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger in the UK.

They’re currently giving out around 500 food parcels per week (each parcel can contain enough food for a family for a few days). They operate from a warehouse in Hoxton (The Florence Bennett Centre) and have distribution points across Hackney.

 For further information or to arrange an interview with Pat Fitzsimons, please contact Jenna Fansa on 07812 245118.