My name is Alison, and I'm a single parent and care worker from Aylesham, Kent.

For the first time ever, I'm having to use a foodbank to get enough food to make a decent meal for my teenage daughter and I. I’m working really hard to make ends meet but it’s so difficult with bills and groceries all shooting up almost overnight.

My local community hub (Bechange) gets surplus food from the UK’s largest food redistribution charity FareShare, but there’s not enough food to meet the demand that is skyrocketing because of the cost-of-living crisis. 

FareShare used to receive funding from the government to redistribute fresh, good to eat food from farmers that would have gone to waste. That funding has been axed, and now the government say it’s not their job to help. 

I don’t understand why the government is refusing to help at a time when it’s so difficult for millions of people across the country, especially considering how much good food goes to waste. 

At my local hub there’s always someone to talk to about problems, and they also offer cooking courses and exercise classes, as well as the Friday food parcels. I’ve made some lovely friends; and Bechange also has professional keyworkers to help with all sorts of financial planning and benefit advice. I couldn’t survive without them. 

At a time of so much need, it’s wrong that there’s so much waste. The government should be doing more to help people during this time of crisis, not ignoring them. 

Please sign this petition and join my campaign to get surplus food to people like my daughter and I who need it.