END HUNGER IN LEWES DISTRICT THIS CHRISTMAS
Donate to support Fitzjohns Foodbank, Havens Food Coop, Landport Foodbank, Malling Foodbank, Newhaven Baptist Church Foodbank, Newhaven and Peacehaven Community Supermarkets, Ringmer Foodbank, and Seahaven Storehouse.
We are all members of Lewes District Food Partnership – providing emergency and affordable food across Lewes District in East Sussex via our network of food banks and community food hubs.
Lewes District Food Partnership brings people, communities and organizations together to create better food systems for everyone. Sustainable food businesses, local growers and producers, emergency food providers, food waste activists and social eating spaces – we connect the dots.
Newhaven and Peacehaven Community Supermarkets
Sussex Community Development Association hosts Lewes District Food Partnership and has been tackling food poverty since 2013, initially distributing food to 225 adults and children per year. Food poverty has increased significantly since then – particularly because of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. We are currently supporting 1,430 adults and children per year to access food – an increase of 536% since our food service began. Recognizing that local households will continue to struggle to afford food for the foreseeable future, we have developed Seahaven Community Food – harnessing the dedication and creativity of the local community to work towards achieving local food security. Seahaven Community Food operates two ‘pay-as-you-feel’ community supermarkets, delivers emergency food parcels, transforms surplus food into nutritious meals, hosts café sessions for social connection, and directs people to support that can help tackle underlying causes of food insecurity . Seahaven Community Food supports an average of 146 households per week (231 adults and 110 children). The social aspect of our support is important, and members spend time in our volunteer-led café areas, helping to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
One member, a full-time carer for her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease, reported, “It is the highlight of my week coming here. It is the only place where I feel safe to bring him and do my shopping. He can sit and have a cup of tea with some of the others, whilst I choose us some food and I get to talk to other people as well. It’s a real lifeline.”
Local volunteers are the driving force of Seahaven Community Food – many have struggled with food poverty themselves. A team of 45 local residents, including community supermarket members, currently volunteer each week.
“I am so grateful to me a part of such a wonderful team, volunteering has really improved my confidence and giving back to the community is great for managing mental health.” – volunteer feedback
Havens Food Cooperative
Havens Food Cooperative is a project of the Havens Community Hub established in April 2020 aiming to prevent food waste, give food insecure people better access and choices, and help the environment.
Landport Food Bank
Landport Foodbank in Lewes is a project of Landport Residents’ Association and volunteers run a weekly foodbank. Demand has increased significantly in recent weeks, particularly from working single mothers.
Malling Food bank
Malling Foodbank in Lewes is currently supporting 56 households (116 individuals) with food each week and has seen a 30% increase in referrals from single people and 14% increase in families in recent weeks.
Fitzjohn’s Food Bank
The Fitzjohn’s Food Bank operates at Christ Church in Lewes and currently has 56 households on its register with around 45 served each week.
Newhaven Baptist Church Food Bank
Newhaven Baptist Church Foodbank runs two weekly foodbank sessions for local residents.
Ringmer Food bank
Ringmer Baptist Church Foodbank runs weekly foodbank sessions is currently supporting eight local households in need of emergency food.
Seahaven Storehouse
Seahaven Storehouse is part of Seahaven Community Church and provides basic food items to individuals and families in need within the Seahaven area (Peacehaven, Newhaven and Seaford) including 10 refugee families from Ukraine.
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