Bexhill Foodbank ‘has 18 months of funds left’

East Sussex County Council previously pulled its grant funding, leaving the charity to find £830 a month to pay for its Station Road base.

And on top of that, it has to find £222 to run its van which ferries food between the charity’s sub branches in Battle and Rye and helps get food parcels to residents in rural areas.

Bexhill Foodbank project manager Simon Earl said: “We have got sufficient funds to cover the rental of the van and tenancy for probably 18 months. After that, I’m not quite sure where we go.”

He added: “Foodbanks do rely on donations and we live a precarious existence really.”

Foodbank supporter Charles Clark, East Sussex County Councillor for Bexhill East, said: “I was dismayed to find out Bexhill Foodbank grant funding from the county council has ceased. This is because central government stopped funding the Community Grant Scheme which allowed the county council to fund the foodbank.

“The foodbank received in previous years £15,700 from county council to cover the vehicle and premises costs.

“I did request the county council to reinstated the funding, but they felt unable to do so.

“The foodbank helps people not only in Bexhill but also Rye and Battle and over the years have assisted 2,000 residents in Rother.

“I have been supporting the Bexhill Foodbank for some time with donations and fundraising. I also identify residents in my ward in need of the service.

“Bexhill supermarkets and residents are very good in supplying food donations, but now they need some hard cash donations to keep the service going. With Christmas just around the corner, the foodbank will be vital to many residents to get through the festive season. Simon Earl and his team of helpers from Churches Together deserve our support to be able to keep the Bexhill Foodbank open for the needy in our society.”

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