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This page has been set up for the 2024 Christmas Foodbank Collection for 10 Queen Street Place, in collaboration with x+why All donations given here will be directed to the Bates Wells Foundation (registered charity 1150321), so that we can benefit from Gift Aid. We are pleased to confirm that the Bates Wells Foundation has agreed to match fund up to a total of £1,500 of donations from Bates Wells people in relation to cash donations on this page and the first two months of any new payroll giving. The donations will be split equally between Pecan for Southwark Foodbank, Bow Foodbank and Shelter from the Storm (our partner charities from last year). The need As the cost of living crisis continues to impact UK households, food banks are experiencing yet another year of unprecedented demand. This winter is expected to be their busiest ever as the need for their services continues to soar. To put this unprecedented demand into perspective: In the UK, an estimated 14.5 million people are living in poverty, which represents 22% of the population. Of these, 4.3 million are children. One in seven people in the UK face hunger as they do not have enough money to keep up with spiralling food costs. The Trussell Trust provided 1.5 million emergency food parcels through its food banks between April and September 2023, including over 540,000 parcels for children – the highest numbers on record. This represents a 16% increase from the same period in 2022 and a 116% increase from the same period five years before, in 2018. 69% of people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust are disabled, compared to 26% across the general population. The festive period will be difficult for many, but in true B Corp collective spirit we can draw hope and encouragement from what we achieve together. So, please do get involved! How to get involved This year, we’re running both a physical and an online collection. If you’d like to get involved but can’t make a physical donation or would prefer to make a cash donation, please do so via this page. If you’re a Bates Wells employee, make sure you leave your name so that your donation can be matched by the Bates Wells Foundation. Last year, we donated approximately £3,316 to our partner charities. Let's make this year the biggest yet! Thank you! The Food Bank Team