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Staff from a local charity which helps islanders with a disability find employment in the island have been helping deliver food parcels prepared by the Salvation Army to islanders in need.
The team from the Jersey Employment Trust have been using Acorn Reuse vans as well as their own vehicles to carry out the work, reaching over 100 families in one week.
The local branch of the Salvation Army set up a food bank last month following a request from the Government to help any islanders who might find themselves unable to afford food after coming into hardship, such as losing their job, for example.
Parcels are being packed up by volunteers with everyday household essentials such as pasta, rice, dry foods, tins, jars, long life milk, cereals as well as cleaning products and toilet paper. Nappies, wipes and formula are also available for families with babies.
In the second week of operation, the food bank reached 217 individuals in more than 100 households - twice as many as the previous week.
Due to the covid-19 outbreak, JET has had to change the way it interacts with its clients. Executive officer, Jocelyn Butterworth, explained that, while staff prefer to meet clients face-to-face, it has not been possible due to social distancing,
The employment service has therefore had to rely on phone calls and emails.
But, as Ms Butterworth explained, one positive outcome from the situation is that it has allowed a number of support staff to be freed up for one or two days a week to support the food bank initiative and a number of other community support projects.
“JET as an organisation and the staff personally feel it’s really important to support community initiatives at this difficult time,” Ms Butterworth said.
“While the shop at Acorn Reuse is closed, the staff are fully behind supporting the Salvation Army with the vital service of delivering food parcels.”
Richard Nunn from the Salvation Army said they were delighted that JET had offered drivers as well as overspill premises if needed.
The Grace Trust, St Vincent de Paul as well as Caritas Jersey have also joined in the initiative, helping with language translation.
Video: In its second week of operation, the Food Bank reached 217 individuals in over 100 households.
“It has been amazing to see how charities and community groups are all pulling together, as well as Probation [a government department helping with the rehabilitation of offenders, ed.] and members of the public,” Mr Nunn said. “It’s something good that is happening.”
Last week, Malcolm Ferey, who has been seconded from Citizens Advice Jersey to support the 'Connect Me' programme, highlighted the importance of charities working together.
Discussing concerns that some charities might “fold” as a result of the virus crisis and the impact it is having on charities activities, Mr Ferey said: “What we are seeing is charities working together, sharing services, sharing resources, being as efficient as they possibly can.
“…I think, as we move forward, all organisations will understand and see the value of working together in a collaborative way to deliver the right services to the right people.”
Pictured: It is expected demand for the food bank will increase over the coming weeks.
As people’s income dwindles following job losses, it is expected the demand for the food bank will increase in the coming weeks, although Mr Nunn says it is difficult to know how much will be needed.
Originally, the food bank was taking donations of food items from the public, but organisers then decided it would be better to purchase supplies to ensure the parcels are consistent and nutritious.
The Salvation Army have therefore launched an appeal to help fund the food bank. On a JustGiving page, which has already received £4,365 in donations, they wrote: “The outbreak of the coronavirus has quite literally changed everyone’s lives and turned society upside down.
"However, the Salvation Army is resolute and strong in providing practical support, just as we did in the Spanish Flu pandemic, and during the bombing and the Blitz.
“We will carry on doing what we can to support people and communities in the ways that we can.”
Pictured top: Jamie Smith from JET collecting food from the Salvation Army premises in Minden Street.
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