On Thursday 15 December, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, the leader of the council; Councillor Lizzie Deane, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove; and Councillor Carmen Appich, the leader of the opposition gathered to show their support for Brighton & Hove Food Partnership’s Food SOS campaign.
The campaign was created to support local food banks and raise awareness of food poverty as demand surges while donations fall.
We’ve installed donation points for long-life food goods in council buildings to help staff, councillors and residents join the Food SOS campaign.
The donation points can be found in the receptions of Brighton Town Hall and Hove Town Hall and at the staff entrance of Bartholomew House.
We are looking for long-life dry food goods, such as tinned meat, fish and vegetables, and tea and coffee. We cannot take anything past its use by and best before date. It is also nice to receive donations of luxury items.
The donations are being collected by Fareshare Sussex and distributed to local food banks and charities supporting people in hardship.
Cost of Living Crisis appeal
Earlier this year, we worked in partnership with Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership to set up the Brighton & Hove Cost of Living Crisis appeal. The JustGiving campaign was established to raise funds to support the most vulnerable people in the city with food, energy and other essential costs.
Thanks to the generosity and support of people across Brighton & Hove, the Cost of Living Crisis appeal has now raised almost £70,000.
These funds will be used to provide vouchers for energy bills, food parcels, and equipment to help with food and fuel poverty such as slow cookers, microwaves and electric blankets.
You can also support people struggling with the cost of living by donating food or money to local food banks and community food providers.
Hands-on support
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council, said: “In Brighton & Hove, an astonishing 6,000 people every week access food through food banks – 1 in 5 of them children.
“An additional 1,000 people will need support this year because of the cost of living crisis. This means those ‘just about managing’ will be pushed head long into food poverty.
“The situation facing the city’s food banks is stark: donations have dropped by two thirds while demand is higher than ever before. So I was proud with the Mayor to play our part collecting for food banks across council buildings. I’m asking everyone who can, to help
“This is also why the Cost of Living Crisis appeal is so important, as it’s all about getting help to our residents most in need. Thank you to everyone who’s supported the campaign.
“By donating money and raising awareness of the campaign, you’ve helped us deliver hands-on support to residents struggling with money this winter.
“This is only one part of the large, ongoing efforts to provide practical solutions to those hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis."
Emergency food support
If you need to access food support over the festive period, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership have published Christmas opening times for local food banks and affordable food shops and a list of free and low-cost community meals available in Brighton & Hove this Christmas.
Taking strong steps
Councillor Mac Cafferty added: “The council is committed to doing everything we possibly can to support residents. This includes launching the cost of living hub and working with organisations across the city to provide warm places to go and indoor activities.
“We’re providing support and advice for residents and working with the Brighton & Hove Energy Services Cooperative so residents can access low-energy lights and draught excluders to help bring down fuel costs.
“The council continues to offer children and young people free school meals as well as a programme of free winter activities. We continue funding emergency food and providers of delivered meals.
“But our residents deserve better than this. In the fifth richest country in the world, this is utterly shameful.
“We're taking some of the strongest steps of any council to support residents and local businesses hit by the cost of living, and we stand with you at this hour of pain and uncertainty.”
