Call on local businesses to join ‘Bring a Tin to Work Week’

To help combat the cost of living crisis in our local areas, SWR Mind are embarking on a mission to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families who are struggling to put food on their tables.

Debi Lewis, the Cost-of-Living service Co-Ordinator, said: "We want to get as many businesses and services involved in our ‘bring a tin to work week’ donation as possible. We have partnered with local organisations, food banks and community centres to distribute the donated food items throughout our area, ensuring efforts reach those in the community most in-need. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers will collect all donations which will be distributed between food banks and free fridges, with everyone who contributes getting a certificate of thanks with your tally-of-tins.

A staggering 90% of food banks have seen an increase in demand, with over 80% saying they have noticed a decrease in donations. With food inflation rising it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to afford general living costs and many of the people approaching organisations like SWR Mind and Food Banks for emergency help are working families struggling to make ends meet."

Debi added: “Food-banks have reported to me that they are struggling to keep up with demand. Part of this is because there is a rise in demand and also a simultaneous drop in donations.

"I work with organisations whose primary purpose is to help those in the community and they are seeing a rise of people asking for food in areas that are not traditional food banks such as local churches and charities. Local people are struggling to go to the supermarket because it is now out of their price range.

"I have had people tell me that they only eat sandwiches because they can’t afford to put the gas or electric on to cook a meal. Food-banks and Free Fridges are the vital places that will help everyone at their most difficult time in their life, the least we can do is support them to help the community.”

Debi said: " SWR Mind will continue our mission through our cost of living service to do our part in helping eradicate food insecurity and tackle other cost of living struggles by running free events, providing vouchers and emergency care packages, and of course our fabulous cost of living handbook and cookbook, created with contributions from people across our community. We would like to encourage individuals, local businesses and organisations to support this collective effort, whether you can spare a tin or two out the cupboard or get your workplace involved. Every contribution will be massively appreciated and genuinely makes a difference.

If you would like to join this event, which runs from October 2 to 6, and start a collection point for food donations, please contact Debi Lewis or a member of our admin team on Debra.lewis@swrmind.org.uk or 01723 339838.

For more information go to www.swrmind.org.uk