Lewisham Foodbank has tripled the amount of food parcels it has been delivering each week since April.

More than 300 food parcels, worth around £10,000 in total, are being delivered each week to help over 1,000 people in the borough.

The Foodbank has been working in partnership with the Lewisham council and number of other charities across the borough to ensure all those in need get the food they require and the help they need beyond food since the lockdown.

Carol Bostridge, chief operating officer of Lewisham Foodbank, told Eastlondonlines that more than 150 unpaid volunteers were helping with administration, packing, and delivering each week. The majority of the volunteers joined the Foodbank after the Government imposed the lockdown.

There are 20 volunteers delivering food parcels every day who leave food parcels on doorsteps to maintain social-distancing.

The recipients are referred to Lewisham Foodbank by over 200 organizations in the local area, including student welfare organizations, social workers, local doctors, refugee organizations, etc.

The number of people in need increased sharply after the pandemic. Bostridge said: “It’s a mixture of different reasons. It may take five to six weeks to get the universal credit after people lose their jobs; There are people struggling with the diminishing income; And there are people who have the right to work here but do not have recourse to public funds, depending on their visas.”

Many of the recipients express their gratitude for the held. The Foodbank received a thank you card read:“ I cannot explain how much it has helped us or how truly grateful we are to all the staff, volunteers and the donors!”

“People have been so kind and generous,” Bostridge told ELL. “But we still need ongoing support to meet the rising demand.”

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