Sheffield investment bank supporting food banks during lockdown

Investec is delivering 680 items a week to the S6 food bank and 1,140 items a week to one in Burgreave. In total, it has delivered 21,840 items over 12 weeks, it says.

The donations come as the Sheffield 6 Food Bank alone has increased the number of households it supports from 80 to 299.

It is now running seven sites across the city, taking over from others which ran out of food or money.

Manager Sam Evans said Investec’s support offered stability.

He added: “We're seeing around triple the demand we usually experience. In 2019 we distributed an average of 1.7 tonnes of food and supplied every week and are now distributing just over five tonnes.

“Investec's support will offer essential stability at a very difficult time, and allow us to focus on offering essential support to those most vulnerable.”

Rachel Snow, Sheffield Food Bank (S3, S4 & S9) said: “Prior to the coronavirus lockdown, we operated from two sites in Burngreave and Darnall, with clients coming in to receive parcels, as well as being offered a hot drink, listening ear and signposting. This is no longer possible.

“We are now delivering food parcels to clients’ homes. It’s been a logistical challenge, especially factoring in the need for social distancing amongst our volunteers, but we’ve been supported by the generous support of our volunteers.

“Prior to the Covid-19 crisis we would distribute around 33 food parcels a week, feeding 83 people. Since then we’ve been distributing 70 parcels per week, feeding at least triple that number. We’re incredibly grateful for the support Investec is providing at this critical time.”

Keith Boulby, Investec Wealth & Investment said: “At Investec, we fully believe in supporting our local communities and strive to live within society, rather than off of it. Working in Sheffield myself, I am very proud that we are able to use our networks to create new supply chains that ensure the food banks have the essential supplies they need.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor