Sarah’s story
“As a parent, to not know if you’re going to be able to feed your children is shameful and degrading. It’s scary…you don’t feel as if you’re doing your job properly.”
Sarah, a local mum of two, was excited to move her partner into the family home. With two incomes, they assumed they would be better off, and life would be easier for the whole family. But, when Sarah informed the council of their change of circumstances, their benefit payments were delayed, and they were left in an impossible situation.
“We are both on a low wage and without any benefits, it was really difficult.”
Sarah was struggling. Trying to juggle the cost of electricity, gas and food for the family was proving impossible. It was during an appointment with their local housing association, to try to find a short-term solution to paying their rent while their benefits were delayed, that Sarah was referred to the Walton & Hersham Foodbank.
“As a parent, to not know if you’re going to be able to feed your children is shameful and degrading. It’s scary…you don’t feel as if you’re doing your job properly.”
The foodbank provided emergency parcels of food and household items until Sarah could get back on her feet. This meant Sarah could focus on other bills knowing there would always be food on the table for the family.
“Knowing the foodbank is there puts your mind at rest. Knowing you can go there and get support is brilliant.”