It may only be early November, but the icy-chills of winter are already creeping their way in. The crisp air and icing-sugar like dusting on the leaves may be beautiful, but the reality of this time of year is sinister.
For thousands of people in the UK, the end of summer marks the point where they are faced with an impossible choice: whether to enjoy heat or whether to eat. The winter of 2017 saw record levels of food poverty in the UK and, coupled with astronomical hikes in fuel prices, a growing number of people had to choose between a hot meal in freezing conditions or a warm room but no food. If predictions are correct, this year will only be worse.
In this day and age, this dilemma is not only heart-breaking, but is completely unnecessary. More than 3,000 people are needlessly dying each year, some as a result of suicide, due to the inability to heat their homes. Most of these vulnerable people are either elderly or on benefits. The choice between going cold or going hungry has other effects too: depression, isolation and exposure to life-threatening illnesses to name but a few. Living this life in a perpetual state of anguish and discomfort has to stop.
You may be reading this and thinking that this problem doesn’t apply to affluent Rutland. Surely this sort of thing doesn’t happen in our county?
The truth is that the ‘heat or eat’ dichotomy happens everywhere. As food writer and poverty activist, Jack Monroe, says “People don’t often talk about the issue- it is shrouded in shame and secrecy, so it could be happening on your street, to your neighbours. It is devastating, debilitating and happening in hundreds of thousands- if not millions- of homes in the UK.”
So, what can be done to protect the health and wellbeing of those in your community at this time of year?
At the Rutland Foodbank we aim to eradicate the awful choice of ‘heat or eat’ by providing nutritionally balanced meals for those in food poverty. Further to this, and thanks to Jack Monroe and Npower, a new initiative was recently launched, which gives our beneficiaries access to funds that cover the cost of two weeks’ emergency gas and electricity.
We are blessed with an abundant group of volunteers and donors alike, but the main concern we have is that not all local people know where to find us. We’re finding that Rutlanders in the villages surrounding Oakham have rarely heard of the service we provide, so few are accessing the food and facilities that we can offer when they are most in need.
This is where you can help. Spread the word! It doesn’t matter if you tell a friend over coffee, share a social media post, or scream it from the top of your lungs in the supermarket, telling people about the help that is out there is one of the most crucial steps we can all take in ending this crisis.
Living in food or heat poverty are not things to feel ashamed about. Support is here on your doorstep, so please get in touch.
Together we can put a stop to unnecessary winter deaths, discomfort and anguish. It may only seem like a small part to play by telling people about the Rutland Foodbank, but it really could save someone’s life this winter.