Foodbank founder hands over the reins

Eastbourne Foodbank founder and chief executive, Howard Wardle MBE, has stepped back after 13 years at the helm.

Howard started the foodbank from a small Portacabin on the Bridgemere estate in 2011.

He said: “In those early days, my wife and I would just go to the supermarket and fill up a trolley to help people who were struggling.

“I remember, in its infancy, one month we had 30 people come to see us for food. I couldn’t believe that 30 people couldn’t afford to buy food. I spoke to the captain of the Salvation Army in the town at the time and he told me, ‘Howard, you and I could work forever in this town and we would never fulfil the need’.”

Eastbourne Foodbank is now providing emergency food for around 3,000 people a month. It has a large warehouse in Brampton Road, six pop-up foodbank satellites, where people collect their food and a town centre advice centre in Grove Road. The foodbank’s two vans visit 40 collection points across the town to pick up tonnes of food donated by the generous public. The organisation is powered by a 135-strong volunteer team.

But Howard believes it is unacceptable that anyone should need to use a foodbank.

Since founding the charity he has always maintained a clear anti-poverty vision with a strong desire to end the need for emergency food support.

He said: “When we had those 30 people in just one month, I wanted to understand why and I wanted to support people with more than just tins of food. I employed our first member of staff, an advocacy manager, which marked the start of our advice team, in 2012.

“I wanted to get to the root cause, so people didn’t need the tins of food anymore.”

Howard has always been committed to finding a better way, by identifying the issues and working with the community to find a solution. Whether that be working with charity partners to raise issues with the local authority or employing a welfare benefits advisor to make sure those needing the foodbank have the benefits they are eligible for, Howard has worked tirelessly to reduce poverty and hardship in our town. Always adapting and coming up with new ideas, Howard is driven by a desire to improve life for those in the toughest financial situations with more than just food.

As a result, he has built a team which is focused on lifting people up and out of needing to use the foodbank with advice, support work, community development and campaigning.

He said: “It is about much more than food. It is about giving people hope.”

Howard hands over the reins to Jess Holliday, who has been Deputy CEO at Eastbourne Foodbank for the past year. She previously held the role of Campaigns and Communications Manager at the foodbank and has a background in education.

Jess said: “Although I am incredibly sad to see Howard go, and it is both an honour and a privilege to protect and build on the legacy he leaves. I share his vision to end the need for foodbanks and deeply admire and adore Howard’s grit, determination and passion for this work. There is a high level of need in our communities, both in Eastbourne and across the country, but I know that change is possible.

“As part of Trussell’s network of foodbanks, Howard has shared Eastbourne Foodbank’s expertise and learning with foodbanks across the whole of the UK, and worked tirelessly to make sure the voices of our clients are heard. At Eastbourne Foodbank, we will continue to work towards the day when nobody has to rely on public charitable donations of food.”

Howard’s contribution to Eastbourne was recognised when he was made MBE for services to the community in 2021.

As he steps back from his role as CEO, Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde paid tribute to the difference he has made.

Josh said: “Howard, I would like to say a massive thank you for all you have done for our town, all you have done for those who are struggling the most in our town. You have empowered people and you have done that with dignity for them. I was proud to mention you in my Maiden Speech in the House of Commons, to commemorate what you have achieved and I wish you all the very best.”

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