Bexley council donates £10,000 to food bank to help it cope during coronavirus outbreak

By Rafi Benady

Bexley council is donating £10,000 to the borough’s food bank to help it cope with unprecedented demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The cash injection will be used to buy food for those receiving food vouchers

Councillor David Leaf, the council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive impact on the incomes of many households and led to a fall in donations of food by individuals and local groups.

“We are working with our partners in the voluntary sector to get help to those who need it and alleviate the hardship and consequences of falling income on our residents.

“This donation to the food bank will support them to buy food in response to people’s needs, as donations fluctuate from other sources.

“The council will continue to look at ways to help residents through this difficult and challenging time.”

Bexley’s food bank is a volunteer-led organisation, run by Avery Hill Charitable Trust in partnership with the national charity, the Trussell Trust.

It operates from four points in Bexley and serves those who have been referred to the food bank for emergency food.

People access the service by exchanging vouchers in return for food.

Organisations that issue food vouchers in Bexley include the council, the Job Centre, GPs and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The food bank remains open, but is of course observing strict social distancing measures.