VIVID supports local foodbank to help people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus has caused a soar in demand for foodbanks and to support the Basingstoke Foodbank meet this increase in demand, we've supplied vital support by providing £24,000 funding and a new warehouse for them to operate out of.

Since the start of lockdown, the Basingstoke Foodbank has seen the demand for food parcels for those who can’t afford food triple. The extra demand coupled with the need to social distance made life difficult for the volunteers working at the foodbank and the new warehouse provided the extra space to allow them to work safely and effectively. We're renting the premises to the foodbank for six months, rent-free.

The foodbank moved to its new site at Tempus Business Centre in May and this week, two of our team visited the premises to see first-hand the fantastic work that the volunteers at the foodbank have been doing over the past few months.

Jonathan Cowie, Chief Operating Officer at VIVID, said: “Coronavirus is having a profound impact on many of our communities. Our staff are working hard to support our most vulnerable customers, particularly those who are older, self-isolating or facing financial difficulties. But we also wanted to help and support the communities in which we work, and we’re delighted to provide this funding and a new home to support Basingstoke Foodbank who are providing help where it is needed most at this time. As people continue to be financially impacted by coronavirus, I’m sure that the foodbank will remain an essential lifeline for local people.”

Chair of Trustees at Basingstoke Foodbank, Phil Thomas, added: “This is an amazingly generous offer by VIVID. We are now open five days a week and the extra space these new premises provide make it so much easier for our volunteers to observe social distancing while preparing food parcels.  Keeping a safe distance from one another would have been a real challenge.”

People needing food should contact one of the agencies found on the foodbank website:

www.basingstoke.foodbank.org.uk  Alternatively, they can ring the National Citizens Advice helpline (0808 208 2138) or their local Citizens Advice office, who will offer support, advice and if needed, will refer them to Basingstoke Foodbank for a home delivery of emergency food and toiletries.