The majority of the food from FareShare Sussex & Surrey gets used in the hostel by the cooks in the on-site kitchen to feed the residents. Each day residents have access to breakfast, lunch and dinner in a communal space. In the day centre, ambient products and cupboard essentials are distributed in food parcels.
Paul, a staff member at Crawley Open House, gave us a tour of the hostel and the day centre. He shared:
“Everyday we distribute up to 20 emergency food parcels. Ideally there will be somewhere between 17 and 21 items. Everything from cereal, biscuits, tinned meat, veggies, spaghetti, tea and coffee.’
The food in the parcels often comes from local support and donations. However, there has been a dip in donations due to usual donors feeling the pressures of the rising prices in food costs.
Malcolm, Head of Operations at Crawley Open House, shared:
“Especially in this economic climate, where people who donate the food are affected by the cost of living, you tend to notice that they can’t give as much as they would. Without FareShare Sussex & Surrey we would feel that further impact.”
The drop-in centre and hostel provides essential services to its residents and visitors alongside the food, such as job hunting, language courses and one-to-one check-ins. It provides a space for visitors to relax and socialise.
Malcolm also shared the variety of people who come into the centre:
“You’ll be amazed. A lot of the people who come here have jobs. The reality is a lot of them are making just enough money to pay for their rent, pay for the electricity, sometimes in between paycheques. They have to make a choice, and often food is the sacrifice.”
If you are interested in donating to Crawley Open House or want to find out more about what they do, please visit their website here.
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