September 6th 2024.
Metro recently visited Epping Forest Foodbank, located in Essex, to celebrate National Foodbank Day. As she strolled through the town of Loughton, Susanna had a chance encounter with a friend. In passing, her friend asked her what she was up to, to which Susanna replied that she was just out shopping, tightly holding onto her bag.
But the truth was, Susanna, a 61-year-old woman who prefers to use a pseudonym, was actually on her way to St Mary's Church. Upon arrival, she passed through the main hall and two sets of double doors, where tables overflowing with fresh bread, eggs, and tinned goods awaited her.
Reflecting on the moment, Susanna shares with Metro, "I don't know why I didn't tell my friend I was going to a foodbank. I suppose it feels like a handout." Susanna has been using the Epping Forest Foodbank for the past eight weeks, ever since she moved from her home in Ilford, London. With four decades of experience in various industries, including retail, recruitment, and security, Susanna hopes to become a bus driver but is currently between jobs.
She explains, "I'm currently on Universal Credit, and there are times when they call for a phone interview. I've missed two of these calls, which has resulted in sanctions. I'm struggling to catch up on bills, and at worst, I may have to choose between food and gas. This is something I've never experienced before in my working life. Going to bed hungry and cold is not a pleasant feeling."
At the foodbank, Susanna has stocked up on instant noodles, which she can quickly cook with hot water from a kettle. She tries to avoid using the stove to save on energy bills. "This place is incredible," she exclaims. "I hope I won't have to rely on it permanently, but for now, it's helping me get back on my feet until I find a job. They provide everything here, from fresh bread to tissues, soap, and even washing powder. I am grateful for this resource, and the volunteers never make me feel uncomfortable. They always ask if I want anything else."
There is a common misconception that poverty does not exist in Epping Forest, a wealthy area known for its pricey postcodes and TV shows like The Only Way Is Essex, partially filmed in Loughton. However, the truth is that poverty is hiding in plain sight, as Fiona Mountford, a theatre critic who volunteers as a driver at the Epping Forest Foodbank, explains to Metro. "People often make assumptions that poverty doesn't exist in this area, but they couldn't be more wrong. The need is right in front of us."
The Epping Forest Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust network, supported 316 people in 2013/2014. In the last ten years, that number has risen to 9179, with almost half of those being children. The foodbank also provides support for people's pets, with volunteers noticing when someone asks for extra tuna, a sign that they may be struggling to feed their furry companion. In such cases, they gently remind them that they have boxes of pet food available as well.
Mark, a 58-year-old Army veteran, relies on the foodbank not just for himself but also for his 90-year-old mother, who has dementia. He has been on Universal Credit since April and is supposed to receive £396 a month. However, like Susanna, he has faced sanctions for falling behind on administrative tasks.
"I received only £6.45 in July," Mark tells Metro. "And this month, I haven't received anything at all. It's unbelievable. I've worked for 20 years in security and also served in the Army. But now that I care for my mother, it affects the type of work and hours I can do. However, I promised my father before he passed away that I would take care of her, so that's what I'll continue to do."
Every day at St Mary's Church, volunteers never know who will walk through the door. Sometimes, rough sleepers come in for help. When Eileen Salman, the foodbank coordinator, meets people like this, she offers more than just food. She shares a recent encounter with Metro, "We had a young lad come in the other day. He was a rough sleeper in Epping Forest. I think people like him are the least helped in society. They're not seen as vulnerable because they're young and strong. I always greet everyone with a smile, and sometimes, I just want to give them a hug and tell them everything will be okay. A hug can be a way for someone to let their emotions out if they're barely holding it together."
Eileen also keeps an eye on the front yard of St Mary's Church, where people may hesitate to come in. "That happened more before the pandemic," she clarifies. "Now, there's less of a sense of shame in asking for help. And that's encouraging."
Behind the scenes of the Epping Forest Foodbank is operations manager Bob Glasgow, who works at a warehouse ten minutes away from St Mary's. He and his team work tirelessly to keep the foodbank running smoothly. "We couldn't do it without the volunteers," he tells Metro. "They are the backbone of this operation."
The Epping Forest Foodbank is a vital resource for those in need, providing a sense of security and support during tough times. As Susanna, Mark, and many others have experienced, it can happen to anyone, and the volunteers at the foodbank are there to help with open arms and a warm heart.
Metro visited Epping Forest Foodbank in Essex to commemorate National Foodbank Day. Susanna was strolling through the town of Loughton in Essex when she unexpectedly ran into a friend. They exchanged pleasantries, and her friend asked what she was up to. Susanna replied that she was simply out shopping, clutching her bag tightly. But what she didn't mention was that she was actually on her way to St Mary's Church to pick up some essential items from the foodbank there.
As she sat at a small table overlooking the church parking lot, Susanna shared with Metro that she felt a bit embarrassed to admit that she was going to a foodbank. She saw it as a handout, something she was not used to. Susanna, who is originally from Ilford in London, has been using the Epping Forest Foodbank for the past eight weeks. She has had a diverse career, working in retail, recruitment, and security over the last four decades. Currently, she is in between jobs, but she hopes to train to become a bus driver.
Susanna explained that she found herself in this situation due to her Universal Credit allowance not being enough to cover all her expenses. She shared that she was born and raised in the UK, and her parents are from Barbados. She also told Metro that she has missed phone interviews with Universal Credit, which resulted in her being sanctioned and falling behind on bills. She is now faced with the difficult decision of choosing between food and gas, something she has never had to do before. She admitted that she hates going to bed hungry and cold.
As Susanna picked up some instant noodles, she mentioned that she tries to avoid using the stove as much as possible to save on energy bills. She expressed her gratitude for the foodbank, saying it has been a lifesaver for her during this challenging time. She also praised the volunteers at the foodbank for always making her feel comfortable and offering her additional items.
There is a common misconception that poverty does not exist in the Epping Forest area. Many people assume that because it is home to one of the country's most expensive postcodes and is featured on popular TV shows like The Only Way Is Essex, everyone living there must be wealthy. However, the reality is that poverty is often hidden in plain sight. Fiona Mountford, a theatre critic who volunteers as a driver at the Epping Forest Foodbank, shared with Metro that people are quick to make assumptions, but they are mistaken. She believes that the need is there, but it's not always visible.
The Epping Forest Foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust network, has seen a significant increase in numbers over the years. In the 2013/2014 period, they assisted 316 people, and now, ten years later, they are helping over 9000 people, with about half of them being children. The foodbank also provides support for pets, as volunteers have noticed that some people are struggling to feed their furry companions. They always offer pet food when needed, and they make sure to do it gently and without judgment.
Mark, a 58-year-old Army veteran, is just one of the many people who rely on the Epping Forest Foodbank. He shared with Metro that he and his 90-year-old mother, who has dementia, depend on the foodbank for their basic needs. Mark has been on Universal Credit since April and should receive £396 a month. Unfortunately, like Susanna, he has faced sanctions for falling behind on administrative tasks. Despite this, he remains committed to caring for his mother and fulfilling his promise to his late father.
Volunteers at the foodbank never know who will walk through the doors each day. Occasionally, rough sleepers will come in for assistance. When this happens, Eileen Salman, the foodbank coordinator, offers more than just food. She shared with Metro that she has encountered young men who are rough sleepers and often feel neglected by society. She always greets everyone with a smile and sometimes offers them a hug to let them know that everything will be okay. Eileen is always on the lookout for people who may be too embarrassed to come into the foodbank, and she makes an effort to reach out to them and offer her support.
Eileen, a retired NHS phlebotomist, has seen firsthand the impact of poverty in the Epping Forest area. She shared that people often mention that they are expecting their benefits or starting a new job soon, and she hopes she won't see them again. She wants them to get back on their feet and no longer need the foodbank's assistance.
At the heart of the foodbank is operations manager Bob Glasgow, who works at a warehouse only ten minutes away from St Mary's Church. He oversees the daily operations and ensures that everything runs smoothly. Bob and his team work tirelessly to support the community and provide much-needed help to those in need.
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