Foodbank staff hopeful Trick or Eat event will bolster dwindling supplies
Hackney residents are turning Halloween on its head for a third year running – joining the Trick or Eat trail and donating food for people in need.
Last year’s event, organised by the Local Buyers Club collected five tonnes of food (four lorries full) for Hackney Food Bank.
Residents are urged to either host a collection box outside their homes or to dress up and follow the Trick or Eat trail - donating tins of soup, corned beef, tinned fish and longlife milk or juice to boxes in their neighbourhood.
With food and fuel prices rising, furlough coming to an end, evictions happening again and Universal Credit being reduced, food bank workers say things are looking bleak.
Tanya Whitfield, Operations and General Manager of Hackney Foodbank, said: “We are feeding around 1,000 people a week and we’re running very low on supplies. Last year when we saw just how much food had been donated through Trick or Eat it made me cry – the Local Buyers Club team works so hard to make it happen. It was just amazing and we’re delighted it’s happening again this year.
“As the evenings start to get colder and darker, a lot of parents are struggling – it’s a choice between giving the kids a bath, putting the heating on or giving them food and that’s not ok.
“No-one should have to queue for food – everyone should be able to go and choose what to eat and drink. We are feeding as many people now as we were a year ago and it’s looking bleak.”
Organiser Jenna Fansa of the Local Buyers Club added: “I love Halloween and our kids love getting dressed up but we wanted to do something to shift the focus so that, as well as having fun trick or treating, we teach our children to help people experiencing hardship. Last year’s Trick or Eat proved that when we come together as a community we can make a tremendous difference – taking the pressure off the food bank for a short while and showing warmth and care for others.”
Traders in Stoke Newington are among those supporting the event – many will be open to Trick or Treaters from 3pm till 6pm on October 31st and will have collection boxes for the foodbank too. Households will be collecting food from 4pm till 9pm.
To sign up to host a collection box outside your home email team@localbuyersclub.com including your name, address and a contact number. You’ll be added to the Trick or Eat map so residents know where to donate and sent artwork to display on a collection box.
Find out more about Trick or Eat or follow the Trail at www.trickoreat.co.uk
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