News
12 Mar 20
Coronavirus drives uncertainty over food supplies
Pictures of empty shelves in supermarkets, albeit temporary, tell their own story about the uncertainty among consumers over food supplies – no matter the assurances from big retailers that their supply chains can cope with demand, fuelled by the coronavirus outbreak. “Panic is going to be more dangerous than the virus itself,” the chair of a […]
10 Feb 20
Growing our own food
We’re sure Henry Dimbleby would love our kitchen garden beside our centre in Benwell Lane, which is fast developing. Last year vegetables grown in our raised beds were used by our volunteer kitchen cooks, who provide hot meals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Barbara, inspiration behind the project, reports that sprouts and cabbages are slowly growing, […]
8 Feb 20
Celebrity Visit
We were pleased to welcome Henry Dimbleby, who is leading the government’s new National Food Strategy, to our centre in the Venerable Bede church hall, this month (February). Henry, the son of the broadcaster and television personality David Dimbleby, has the task of producing a new food framework for England outside the EU. He is […]
3 Feb 20
Working – and Poor
We’re constantly reminded by the Government that record numbers of people are in work. That’s good, and to be welcomed. New research from the respected Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) acknowledges that growing employment and earnings have protected many working-age adults from hardship. Yet a record number of people with a job are now in poverty […]
30 Jan 20
Pathways to a better life
A new decade brings both new opportunities and fresh challenges for Newcastle West End Foodbank. That means reaching out to the wider community, working with other agencies to add value to our services while, hopefully, giving our many clients some hope, confidence, and a pathway leading to greater self-sufficiency where appropriate. It’s a bold ideal […]
22 Nov 19
Winter Has Come – Early?
“These are the months when people rely most on the food bank to help them cope with increased living costs.” That’s the cautionary note from our chief executive, John McCorry, as he studies the detailed statistics outlining demand: 11.3 tonnes of food distributed in September alone, and 8.7 tonnes collected – a shortfall of around […]
1 Oct 19
Foodbank Winter Campaign
This festive period Toon Aid in partnership with Newcastle West End Foodbank and NUFC Fans Foodbank is launching a campaign to raise funds to help keep this vital resource to the community going when demand for its services are at their highest. Food parcels issued by Newcastle West End Foodbank feed an average of 2000 […]
20 Sep 19
Christmas is Coming
Demand for our food is continually rising. Over the past year it’s risen by 23 per cent. That amounts to 137 tonnes. And it’s made possible by generous donations from people and businesses, large and small. Yet demand is still exceeding supply – particularly at this time of year. That’s before we factor in all […]
13 Sep 19
Our own kitchen garden
First the salad leaves. Then the potatoes, beans and courgettes. Lovely fresh veg is now becoming a regular addition to meals served (on Tuesday and Wednesday) at our centre in Benwell Lane (the Lillia). Barbara, a key volunteer and an inspiration behind developing and fund raising for the project, says: “There’s always a lot to […]
7 Sep 19
Pathways Out of Hunger
The core purpose of the food bank is to help people overcome a temporary crisis when they are unable to afford food and they’re missing out on regular meals. So: our primary role is to provide vulnerable people with food – and we’re dependent on donations to sustain these services in our community. But our […]