The Chichester District Food Bank provided food to 9,150 people last year, with 57% being children. The organization hopes the next MP will help reduce this number.
Gillian Keegan, the Conservative candidate aiming to retain her seat, attended the choral evensong at Chichester Cathedral along with Liberal Democrat Jess Fuller-Brown and Green Party’s Stephen McAuliffe.
Joanne Kondabeka, founder of Chichester District Foodbank, introduced the event and shared a story from a former recipient of the foodbank’s support. She urged candidates to support the Guarantee Our Essentials campaign, which advocates for universal credit to cover basic necessities like food, bills, and travel.
Kondabeka also called for ongoing support for children on free school meals during school holidays due to low income. She highlighted that in 2023-24, the foodbank assisted 9,150 individuals, including 3,933 adults and 5,217 children, emphasizing their unique hopes, dreams, and talents despite their crises.
“Being elected as an MP gives you the power to make a difference,” she said. “Our request is for the future MP of Chichester and Arundel and South Downs constituencies to consider how they can best serve the one in five households living below the poverty line.”
The chairman of West Sussex County Council and the town crier were also present. The Cathedral, a food donation point, has supported the Chichester District Foodbank for ten years, raising donations, funds, and awareness to combat food poverty and aid those in crisis in Chichester.
