Listen to the full interview on Friday Night Clive here
Beautifully-wrapped presents, twinkling decorations and a roast dinner with all the trimmings make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. There is nothing quite as magical as gathering with family and friends, treating each other to luxurious gifts and indulging in festive feasts and one too many mulled wines.
However, for the 8.4 million people in the UK who struggle to afford to eat, the reality is very different. Families have been hit by job losses, unemployment and illness, making this time of year especially difficult. It can simply highlight what they are deprived of, be it good health, work, money, food or all four.
At FareShare Midlands, we believe that no one should go hungry in a country where 1.9 million tonnes of food is wasted every year. That’s why our mission is to redistribute surplus food to the people who need it most, so that it is filling tummies and not trash cans!
Simone Connolly, Director of FareShare Midlands, sat down to discuss this issue with Clive Payne from Black Country Radio. She said:“In the UK at least 8.4 million people are living in poverty… and it’s likely to be much more now. In the West Midlands, there are 1.4 million people living in poverty… The cost of living is going up - over the next 12 months we’re saying it’s going to cost us another £1,700 for the basics.
But people don’t need to go hungry! There is so much surplus food in the supply chain. And our role is to get that food to the frontline organisations who are supporting those 1.4 million people, and more, particularly over the Christmas period.
Surplus food becomes so much more over the festive period. More food is being bought and more food is being produced and therefore the knock-on effect is that there is always going to be more surplus food. There is certainly more to redistribute. People do struggle throughout December, so that’s what we’re asking listeners – to support us and help us redistribute as much food as we can”
During the Big Give week, we far surpassed our target and raised an incredible £15,015. Thank you so much to everyone who donated!
But, our mission to provide food to the vulnerable needs further funding, especially at this time of year. Anything you can give is hugely appreciated.
Donate to FareShare Midlands to support our mission here: https://faresharemidlands.org.uk/donate/