Food banks this Christmas

Christmas is such a special time for our family. We have always gone big and focused very much on the family being together on Christmas day. And yet we have had our share of heartache and loss in Christmases past. This year is no exception, we have lost special people this Christmas too. It has been during the hardest of times that our family has found joy, comfort and peace in the traditions of Christmas and the food that we share.

This year so many people will experience Christmas alone. Budgets have been much reduced for us all but for some people, there is no budget. Job losses, financial hardship, homelessness, dependence on food banks and increased vulnerability in our society all stand in the way of a Merry Christmas for many people in 2020.

Our tables will have gaps where our loved ones should be and in the saddest of circumstances, some of those loved ones have been lost forever. The Covid pandemic has stolen so much from so many. And knowing this makes posts about a mulled wine, mince pies and cheeseboards seem wildly indulgent… It’s something we have grappled with. Do we continue to tell stories of tradition and indulgence when we know so many people live with empty cupboards and don’t know where the money to buy food will come from for their Christmas dinner? How do you go from that knowledge to writing about a cheeseboard and Christmas hams?

The Mahatma Gandhi’s quote: Where there is love there is life has followed me in my life. Its poignancy has echoed this year as we have lost loved ones and seen family and friends suffer. The world as we know it has changed and we have all lost something or someone along the way. Gandhi’s words remind me that there is hope, that love is the most profound force and that unity and community is fundamental to a compassionate and loving society and a better future.

The Trussell Trust

We donate to the Trussell Trust who support a nationwide network of food banks providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty. the Trussell Trust campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK. Their aim is clear and one that Family Feed supports: Our vision is for the UK without the need for food banks.

The Trussell Trust says that in the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. They support more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis. They also offer support to help people resolve the crises they face. Between April 2019 and March 2020, food banks in their network provided a record 1.9 million food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year and during the coronavirus pandemic food banks have seen this rise even further.

You can read about the Trussell Trusts five year strategy and see how they are making a difference in our communities. Family Feed recognises and aligns with their values of compassion, community, justice and dignity and while we support the charity as a family and brand we hope that you might consider making a donation this Christmas.

A group of generous supporters has offered to match any donations given to the Trussell Trust from now until Christmas, up to a total of £500,000 – which means anything you can donate today will be doubled. Every pound will be used to build a better Christmas and a Hunger-Free Future for families across the UK – if you’re able to, please donate today.

Music, art, culture, media and entertainment play a huge role in a functioning society. They bring worlds to our screens and speakers that are far removed from reality and sometimes that escapism is welcome. When we decided to go ahead with our Festive Family Feed we did so because we believe that storytelling is a beacon of hope and that it is ok to share stories of joy even at the darkest of times. Escapism is also a privilege and we recognise that the world is unjust and community is more important now than ever. Food is and always will be an opportunity to unite and connect. We hope that while indulgent, our Festive Family Feed is a welcome story of traditions, food, drinks and a reminder of the power of sharing. A great woman in our family who left us this week was a fine example of this. She gave love effortlessly and she was a wonderful cook. Though she will be deeply missed, her love will live on and her light will always shine.

We will be bringing you two posts today. The second is a story of cheese and some tips and tricks for your festive cheeseboards. As we venture into 2021 we will get back to our bread and butter, bringing you food fit for feeding a family. We will look at simple ingredients, quick wins and we will continue to tell stories of family life and food.

We will also continue to support the important work of the Trussell Trust and their vision for the UK without the need for food banks.