The Budding Foundation strives to help local young people in need, by funding activities to support their education, mental or physical health and wellbeing. With the current cost of living and energy crisis, it has become evident that UK families also need support to meet basic taken-for-granted human needs such as food and housing.
A recent Trussell Trust survey revealed more than 14 million people live in poverty in the UK, including 4.5 million young people. Emma Revie, CEO of Trussell Trust, said: "Food banks in the Trussell Trust network are now distributing 52% more emergency food parcels than before the pandemic. This equates to a food parcel every 13 seconds to people in crisis." They also report there has has been a 33% increase in the total number of food parcels distributed between April 2022 - September 2022 (compared to same period last year). The risk of food insecurity is always higher amongst young people, those affected by ill health, the unemployed, low-income households and single-parent households. (Source: The Terrific Trussell Trust | People's Postcode Lottery).
So to help local families in need, we have recently donated £4000 to share between Burgess Hill Pantry, Horsham Matters Food Bank, Lancing and Sompting Food Bank, Shoreham Foodbank & Worthing Food Foundation.
We have chosen these particular Food Banks as they are in the areas where the charity and its Museum of Gardening is based or are within the vicinity of the two Tates Garden Centres (South Downs Nurseries & Old Barn Garden Centre) where our charity Christmas Santa's Grottos are held (which raise the majority of the charity's annual revenue).
Burgess Hill Pantry report that they support 175 families with 45 on their waiting list. In 2021, Horsham Matters Food Bank provided 7830 food parcels to families (3251 young people). Lancing & Sompting Food Bank report that they support 100 families, whilst Shoreham Food Bank currently support 30 families. Worthing Food Foundation currently feeds over 700 people per week, including young people but estimates around 12,000 people are living in poverty in Worthing. We also donated £500 to top up charity Family Support Work's foodbank which delivers food to around 140 families each month.
We know these figures are just the tip of the iceberg in Sussex, but are pleased to be able to help these incredible volunteer-run organisations in continuing their important work.
Thank you for your support, please donate if you can, to allow us to continue to support local young people in need...