Food bank campaign feeds thousands in Southampton

Southampton City Mission joined forces with the Echo as part of Boost the Bank - urging people to donate to the charity’s drop-off points across the city.

Thousands of people rely on the charity's network of food banks, but as the cost-of-living crisis soars, demand continues to rise while donations drop.

However, thanks to the campaign, the charity has fed 11,788 this year so far and 1,895 in August alone.

'We are so grateful'

Southampton City Mission’s Basic Banks manager, Vicky Mckillen said: “We have loved working with the Daily Echo over the summer.

“It has been lovely to see so many of their reporters wanting to get involved and see what it's like to actually volunteer with us.

“There is no doubt this has been our busiest summer ever, we have seen more and more people need to use our services.

“We are grateful that the Echo has been able to shine a light on this issue.

“We are also grateful to every single person who has put food in our collection points.

“One tin can make all the difference.

READ MORE: Cost of living crisis: A look inside Southampton clothes banks

“Thank you to the Echo readers for donating, we hope people continue as we head into what could be our busiest winter ever. “

During this year, the charity has fed 11,788 people, clothed 1,119 people and provided 146 overnight packs.

In August alone, the Basics Bank service fed 1,895 people, provided clothes to 148 and created 27 overnight packs.

And the charity’s busiest week was from August 21 to 26.

'Donations have increased steadily'

The Echo spent the morning with the charity on their Basics Banks project at the beginning of August.

Steve Williams, a City Mission van driver of nearly two years, showed us the ropes and we collected, dropped off, and collected a variety of donated items from the public and supermarket chains.

READ NEXT: This is what happened when we spent the morning volunteering at a city foodbank

General manager of Southampton City Mission, Duncan House, said the Echo’s coverage has helped donations from the public “increase steadily.”

Donation items in Southampton City Mission's base (Image: Newsquest, Maya George)

He said: “We have been delighted with how the Echo has supported Southampton City Mission (SCM) through the summer with their Boost the Bank campaign.

“Their reporting has been excellent and it has helped confirm the sense of ownership from ‘Southamptonites’ that we are their food bank, for them and their neighbours.

“From an historic low coming out of Covid, the level of donations from the public has increased steadily as the Echo have been running articles on our projects.

“We are grateful to the editor and his team for championing SCM and to the public for their ongoing support in this time of national hardship."

Ben Fishwick, Editor of the Southern Daily Echo, said: "I'm very grateful to our readers who have contributed to Boost the Bank, particularly at a time when the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone's pockets.

"City Mission does fantastic work across the city - as do other food banks - and I'm pleased this campaign has made a real difference.

"The Echo played a small part in supporting City Mission, whose staff and volunteers work tirelessly to improve the lives of others."

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