The pandemic forced harsh choices on us all. For Time & Talents it meant having to stop being a place where people could meet and enjoy the chance to be part of their community.
In partnership with Southwark Council and a network of other community organisations, last May we found a new role as a temporary food hub, storing and distributing food to local households in crisis to support them through the various lockdowns. It was always intended to be an emergency response to an emergency situation.
Fortunately, with the rate of vaccinations continuing to progress well and restrictions gradually beginning to ease, we can see there is light at the end of the lockdown tunnel when we will be able to reclaim our Rotherhithe centre at the Old Mortuary as a meeting place and community centre, rather than a food store.
We have been in touch with the households currently receiving food support to offer guidance and advice they may need from April onwards once our food hub closes on Thursday 25 March.
We do want to go on helping to address issues around food poverty and will continue to collaborate with local partners to explore sustainable solutions such as community pantries.
In the meantime, the good news is that, in line with the Government’s roadmap, we hope to start to reopen our doors from April onwards to the local people who rely on us for friendship, support and community. You can check on our website for further updates on our reopening.
We’re very grateful to donors, our staff, volunteers, community partners and Southwark Council for a fantastic collaborative response over the past 11 months. The food hub has helped many individuals and families in SE16 at a difficult time.
This is what some of the residents have said about the support they’ve received:
“I would like to say a big thank you to all at Time &Talents. You really made a difference, and the food was greatly appreciated by me and my daughter at our time of need. Thank you very much. I’m slowly getting back on my feet and feel that some other family should benefit from your help now. You do a great job”
“Thank you very much to the suppliers, to Southwark Council and to the wonderful volunteers who carry heavy boxes of food to our doors. Without this service, me and others, would find it very hard to survive during these difficult times. Thank you again”
As we prepare to resume our community activities, we’d like to look back on our last month of operating the temporary food hub and thank again all the staff and volunteers who have unloaded, sorted, packed, cycled and delivered all food donations with a big heart and smile. Enjoy this short video below!
Shoutout to Anna, Food Hub Coordinator at Time and Talents for taking the time to write this blog.