Received today from FoodAWARE regarding enquiries about Maltby Food Bank.
“Many thanks for your email which I note you have also forwarded to the Leader & Deputy Leader of Rotherham MBC, CEO of RMBC, Kevin Barron MP and Maltby Town Council.
First of all, apologies for the misunderstanding with regards you attending the opening of Maltby Foodbank on Fri 22nd March. My fault for assuming this and thinking that you were making enquiries with a view to supporting this community service by promoting, donating, volunteering etc as the majority of other people are doing so.
With regards your other enquiries, I can confirm that we are currently in discussion with RMBC, Elected Members, Maltby Town Council, Maltby Lions and other partners as to exactly how people in need will be identified to access the Foodbank service and the mechanisms around eligibility, proof of entitlement, funding etc. I would like to point out that Food AWARE has established Maltby Foodbank with local partners as a result of growing evidence and knowledge of increased need to support people suffering from food poverty in the local area and across the borough. I can assure you that nobody is ‘celebrating’ providing this community service. We are merely trying to support those in need as we have done since Food AWARE was established as a ‘not for profit’ social enterprise in 2008. This service has not been established purely to support the Maltby community. I am more than happy to meet with you face to face to discuss any concerns you might have. I will be at Addison Road on Wed between 11am and 1pm if that is convenient to you?
Best wishes
Sean
Sean Gibbons
Managing Director
Food AWARE Community Interest Company (CIC)
Registered – 06118192
Food AWARE Community Interest Company (CIC)
Registered – 06118192
Mob – 07887 750175
Email – sean@foodawarecic.org.uk
Email – sean@foodawarecic.org.uk
Website – www.foodawarecic.org.uk
Check out the ‘Food AWARE’ group info page on Facebook!!! – www.facebook.com/FoodAWARECIC.
And on Twitter! – http://twitter.com/foodaware
Member of – Doncaster Chamber ‘Inspiring success in business’
Short-listed for ‘Social Impact of the Year 2012’ award by Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humber (SEYH) “
I have replied :
Dear Sean Gibbons,
Thankyou very much for your prompt reply responding to the concerns that I and others in
Maltby have about the Maltby Food Bank.
I did not say that I was not willing to support
“this community service by promoting, donating, volunteering etc as the majority of other people are doing so”
and I may be able to promote and/or donate to the Food Bank when I have the necessary information which shows where the resources are coming from and going to and how eligibility is decided.
Perhaps you could inform me Who the “majority of other people” that you speak of are ?
I asked who the “other partners” are that you mention and confirm that you are currently in discussion with but you have not as yet, told me.
You say that you are “currently in discussion as to exactly how people in need will be identified to access the Foodbank service and the mechanisms around eligibility, proof of entitlement, funding etc“
Could you tell me therefore, how the service is operating in this time before you reach the identification and eligibility stage as a result of your discussions ?
I understand that the service was operating from Addison Rd as from last Wednesday, 3rd April so presume that you must have had some eligibilty criteria decided for that day ?
You “point out that Food AWARE has established Maltby Foodbank with local partners as a result of growing evidence and knowledge of increased need to support people suffering from food poverty in the local area and across the borough. “
Would you please inform me and other Maltby residents how and by whom this “growing evidence and knowledge” was attained ?
I am aware that “Food AWARE was established as a ‘not for profit’ social enterprise in 2008″ and that “This service has not been established purely to support the Maltby community”
as I have looked at your website.
Food AWARE’s website states “We distribute surplus food by diverting from potential waste and into needy communities. A key objective of our project is to redistribute healthy 5 a day produce … as this encourages healthier eating.”
I am unable to find any information regarding donations or charges for the food boxes. Perhaps you could direct me to where this is explained.
I also note from the website that the supporters of FoodAWARE are Jamie Oliver, Billy Pearce, Local MPs (Jeff Ennis MP (for Barnsley East & Mexborough) ) and Local MEPs (Linda McAvan MEP (for Yorkshire & Humber) )
Could you please tell me if these are the current supporters as their views and philosophies may have an effect on people deciding whether to accept/claim a food box.
Thankyou for the invitation to speak with you “face to face” at Addison Rd on Wednesday between 11am and 1pm however I do not feel that such a meeting is appropriate or necessary.
I look forward to hearing from you again with further information to clarify the situation.
Yours sincerely,
At least Sean Gibbons has replied and within a reasonable time. No doubt MTC, Kevin Barron et al have other things on their minds at the moment but we can still hope for a response in the near future.
maltbyblogger 
Not for profit ? Hmmm that usually means the administration takes a very good wage !
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