St Ann’s food hub appeals for help

A local food hub is struggling to keep its doors open amidst the cost-of-living crisis, reports Olivia Opara

A local food hub is struggling to keep running as its volunteers and donations fall in number due to the cost-of-living crisis.

St Ann’s Food Hub has seen a drop in volunteers over the last couple of months and a rise in past volunteers needing its service. The food hub is also in urgent need of funding and donations as it is struggling to provide solidarity boxes regularly for those in need.

The food hub started in May 2020 during the pandemic, when neighbours came together to support the community voluntarily. The hub offers solidarity boxes of a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, from produce sold to them by corporate organisations at cheap wholesale costs.

Beatriz Martinez, a volunteer at the food hub, said: “I think that we are struggling right now because of the cost-of-living crisis – people are looking for second jobs and working more hours.”

“It is important that we have more volunteers [so we can] stay open for people to collect their boxes,” she added.

The hub is not a conventional foodbank and operates with a model whereby people are referred through organisations like the Haringey Migrant Support Group and through self-referrals. Solidarity boxes are bought with donations and given to families in need and those who can pay for one themselves.

Mary, who volunteered at the hub last year and is now a recipient of a weekly solidarity box, said: “I took the decision [to start receiving a box] because my finances are really down and I felt accepted by the hub.”

Silvia, who uses St Ann’s food hub, told HCP that she was referred through her son’s school and that the pandemic was really “tough” for her.

“I couldn’t cope with my son but this fruit and veg box every Saturday has been so helpful,” said Silvia.

“The staff are very friendly – they smile with you, they talk to you. You feel welcome and it is so encouraging.”

Sara, another volunteer of the food hub, told HCP that the hub gives out between 40 to 60 boxes a week to families in need. “However, we have people who need a box every week but we can only give them one every fortnight and have others who really need a box but we can’t provide them with one,” she added.

To address its urgent needs, St Ann’s Food Hub launched a campaign to raise more funds through donations from the community and to attract more volunteers in hopes of remaining open.

Mary, who continues to support the hub when she can, said: “I would like others to support this organisation and the community as many don’t have enough money especially with the cost-of-living crisis.”

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