Campaign

Guarantee Our Essentials

No one should be forced to turn to a food bank because they have been left without enough money to afford life's essentials, like food, heating and toiletries. Right now, the social security system is failing to prevent people from needing to rely on a food bank to survive, because the basic rate of Universal Credit does not cover essentials.

That's why, together with Trussell and other Foodbanks in the network, we are calling on the government to Guarantee Our Essentials and bring in a legally-protected minimum that the basic rate of social security payments cannot fall below.

Cambridge City Foodbank meets Addicted to Football

As part of our campaign for an Essentials Guarantee our Campaign Coordinator, Clem, met with players and spectators involved in Addicted to Football, a grassroots group supporting people with drug and alcohol struggles. Hear the story of how the testimony of this community helped shaped the local campaign, and how you can get involved.

Community Organising

The power to end the need for food banks is in the community, which is why we use organising principles in our campaigns. Organising is bringing people together to get the power they need to secure the changes they want.

Our organising starts with conversations with people who have needed the Foodbank, and through a series of structured opportunities and activities equips and empowers people to become local campaign leaders, and get involved in our national campaigning for an Essentials Guarantee. 

By organising the community we're developing new leaders with the knowledge and skills to lead successful campaigns, as well as generating knowledge about the causes of food bank need. We're proud to have seeded local grassroots campaigns led by people who have experienced hunger and hardship, and to connect campaigners with other local and national organisations so they can share their expertise and be part of a growing national movement to end the need for food banks. 

Got an idea for change?

What's causing hunger and hardship where you live? What's putting you and your community under pressure? We build the power of the community to tackle these issues and we want to talk to you. Get in touch with our Senior Organiser, Kate, to talk about what you want to see change.