Eastbourne Foodbank has thanked its outgoing chair of trustees and welcomed a new man at the helm.
Chris Sneath had held the position of chair of trustees since 2013 and has recently handed over the reins to Adrian Butcher.
When Chris became involved with Eastbourne Foodbank ten years ago, it was much smaller charity – helping around 7,000 people annually – and operating out of premises in Cornfield Terrace. The charity ran everything from that site for five years before moving to a warehouse and office space at Brampton Road and offices in Grove Road, where the financial inclusion team is now based.
The town’s foodbank now has seven distribution hubs, known as satellites, which pop up around the town every weekday morning. The rising cost of living has seen more people being forced to turn to foodbanks and in 2022 28,415 food parcels were provided. There are now around 130 volunteers giving their time.
From 7,000 to nearly 30,000 food parcels in ten years, Chris has seen a decade of change but said it had been a ‘privilege’.
He said: “Over the years of my involvement, the operation has expanded enormously in terms of people served and volunteers helping us.
“I am delighted that Adrian Butcher has agreed take on the role and I know that he will serve Foodbank with care, skill and enthusiasm in the challenges and changes ahead.”
Former Eastbourne Herald and BBC journalist Adrian Butcher, who has been a foodbank trustee since 2021, is a member of St John’s Church and also worked as Anglican Communion as Director for Communications before setting up his own communication business, Meads Media. Through that business, Adrian made a short promotional film about Eastbourne Foodbank, which is where his support began. In 2021 he was asked to become a trustee, and now, is becoming chair of the trustees.
Adrian said: “The biggest change is the huge growth in demand. We have so many more people coming to us for help which is tragic in a G7 country. And the rising cost of living is double-edged sword – because it is also hitting our incredibly generous supporters, many of whom are finding that they can’t give as much as they once did.”
He added: “The Eastbourne Foodbank team – whether staff or volunteers or supporters – is just an amazing group of people who are passionate about what they are doing. I was delighted to be given an opportunity to join them and serve the town, albeit in a small way, and be part of making a difference in people’s lives.
“I am flattered to be invited to take the role, privileged to have the opportunity and nervous because I want to do a good job. I am a Christian – so I will be praying a lot for God’s guidance and wisdom for the job ahead. I will need it.”
Adrian has paid tribute to outgoing chair Chris and said: “Chris Sneath has done a terrific job as chair of trustees over a long period and will be a very hard act to follow. We are also losing another long-time trustee, Dennis Thompson. Their wisdom and expertise will be sorely missed.
Howard Wardle, CEO at Eastbourne Foodbank, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Chris Sneath for the ten years of support and guidance he has shown our foodbank. We are very grateful for all you have done through what has been a decade of enormous change.
“I am also delighted to welcome Adrian Butcher as the new chairman of trustees. Adrian has been a trustee for the past two years and has brought great expertise to our charity. I look forward to working with Adrian further as we work together to support people in financial crisis and hopefully, one day, celebrate the end of the need for foodbanks.”
Adrian added: “Eastbourne Foodbank is very grateful to the many people of Meads who have donated faithfully to foodbank for years, some of them sacrificially. Thank you all. To anyone who is considering giving to us – be certain that you can make a difference to someone’s life. Even the smallest donation matters. I believe in the idea of society – that we really are all in this together. I know that times are tough for many people right now, but giving someone less fortunate a hand up can be life changing.”
You will find a foodbank collection bin in every major supermarket in Eastbourne. If you are able to make a small monthly donation to the foodbank visit www.eastbournefoodbank.enthuse.com/Donate#!/
