FOOD BANKS – THE TRUTH

The tragedy of the food bank is that it even exists. Food banks are a lifeline to those in need but a stain on the government’s record on poverty. Nobody in the world's sixth largest economy should be so poor that they need food hand-outs.

Most Lewes people are unaware of the poverty that exists here. Yet there are now three food banks operating – Landport, De Montfort and Malling, largely supplied by Fare Shares. This charity collects surplus food from supermarket depots and delivers it to an increasing number of food banks across the area. Local churches and individuals also donate and supermarkets collections have taken place.

People using Lewes food banks are not the “undeserving poor” this ConDem government so loves to demonise. Some are struggling to manage on a inadequate state pension. Others work but cannot make ends meet because they can't get a full time job or are only earning the minimum wage. And of course some are unemployed and cannot find work in hard economic times. Many people who come are right on the edge, further de-stabilised by the government's introduction of mean-minded measures like the so-called bedroom tax.

Lewes Green councillors – despite rumours to the contrary – work hard to support food banks, while Green candidate at the recent by-election – Sarah Neels - runs Malling food bank. Councillors Susan and Roger Murray volunteer regularly at Landport food bank and Susan has helped it with fundraising. They have also helped to resolve difficulties experienced by the Malling food bank. Green councillors became aware of problems for the food bank at the Community Centre and that it needed a new venue to be able to function properly. Subsequently Cllr R Murray approached a contact who was able to arrange for the food bank to have a rent free space at the fire station, including the necessary storage facilities. A number of issues remain to be resolved but the Malling food bank should soon be moving to its new premises. So Green councillors have acted in the best interests of the food banks to support vulnerable local residents.

Food banks are bound to keep increasing as more people are hit by the Con Dem austerity programme. That's why the Green Party supports compassionate, empowering and effective welfare support for all, including a living wage to provide a decent quality of life, a citizen's income to meet basic needs and an unconditional citizen’s pension - linked to average earnings - enabling dignified retirement.

In other words, The Green Party is the only Party to stand for closing food banks by making them unnecessary with decent benefits.