Isle of Man Foodbank is prepared for a rise in demand due to coronavirus.
Big changes have been made at the island’s only food bank due to Covid-19, with volunteers working relentlessly to get food parcels ready not just for its 150 regular clients, but for those in self-isolation or for children facing an earlier ’holiday hunger’ due to schools being closed.
The food deliveries are part of a six to eight week long programme to help them back into independence.
Chief executive Neal Mellon told the Manx Independent the food bank has been getting prepared for the new dilemma that is now affecting Manx residents.
’We’re busy anyway with our normal commitments, which is with people who are in crisis,’ he said.
’There are multi-faceted reasons around why they are not able to manage their budget to make sure they’ve get enough food.
’We’re putting out 150 food parcels a week. It’s a fundamental amount and if we keep going for the rest of the 52 weeks we’re looking at about 7,500 food parcels in the year, which is above and beyond what we’ve done in the last few years.
’That’s for our clients. We’re expecting to get calls from people having difficulties in accessing food either because they’re self-isolating or because they’re following the government guidelines to compulsory isolate.
’These people may have the money for food, but cannot get out to buy it. Or people who have the money can get out, but cannot get what they need like baby food.’
Holiday hunger
He added that he expects ’holiday hunger’, which hits students in July when schools are closed for summer, will start earlier now that schools have been shut.
Last week the food bank received a huge donation of food from clothing store TK Maxx after it announced it would be temporarily closing due to coronavirus.
The shop gave more than £10,000 worth of food to island charities.
Mr Mellon and the volunteers were incredibly grateful for the donation and for the TK Maxx team who came out and helped fill their vehicles.
This month, Isle of Man FoodBank made immediate changes to the way it is operated to prevent the spread of the virus.
Instead of those donating food being allowed to enter the premises in Tromode Park, Douglas, the doors will be closed to them to act as an airlock with donations of food being dropped in the lay-by for volunteers to collect.
Large donations will still need to be delivered downstairs.
Each client will be given a pick-up time.
’Previously they could arrive at anytime between 10.30am and 2pm.
They will still come to the front door by reception to let the food bank volunteers know they are there.
Their food will be waiting for them downstairs in the lower car park in a secure storage unit.
Mr Mellon said: ’We’ve removed ceramic crockery for our coffee and all the team have got their own personal mug.
’We have hand sanitiser at different points in the building and we have introduced disposable towels.
’We have a new cleaning regime in relation to door handles and other contact areas. All interviews will be done by telephone rather than face to face.’
He added: ’We want the Minister and Department of Health and Social Care to recognise all volunteers in the community, but especially ours, as frontline workers who therefore can access priority tests.’
Mr Mellon urges that despite having large donations already, they will need food donations flowing in.
’This month we were down to our last 30 toilet rolls. We posted online and had a tremendous response from EVF and Robinson’s, plus a private provider.
’We’ve had offers of help from taxi drivers and members of the public and we’ve had organisations offering to deliver if we need their help.
’When there’s a concern of running out of something, the Manx public always rallies to the cause.’
He said prime foods are things like eggs, cheese, rice pudding, custard, tins of fruit and tins of meat. The food bank posts on its Facebook page when needing extra support.
Volunteers
’We’re always open for volunteers who can give their skills and time to come in and help. We have close to 60 volunteers around the island,’ he said.
He added that over the last six months the food bank has seen ’more evidence of more long-term chronic low income’.
’We’re working very closely with new body which is helping to coordinate all charities in assisting with the coronavirus changes.
’The organisation doesn’t have a name yet, but we are calling it the C-19 Community Support - CVO (Council of Voluntary Organisations). It caters to a whole spectrum of need.’
See https://isleofmanfoodbank.wordpress.com/ or call 646999.