MP hopefuls visit foodbank church service

Candidates hoping to become MPs attended a church service in support of a food bank.

The Chichester District Food Bank fed 9,150 people in the last year - 57 per cent of which were children - and its bosses hope that the next MP for the area will be able to bring this figure down.

Conservative candidate Gillian Keegan, who is hoping to retain the seat, attended the choral evensong at Chichester Cathedral alongside the Liberal Democrats' Jess Fuller-Brown and Stephen McAuliffe for the Green Party.

Michael Keegan and Gillian Keegan (Image: Graham Franks)

Joanne Kondabeka, founder of Chichester District Foodbank, gave an introduction and she was followed by a story from someone who has previously had support from the foodbank

As part of her introduction, Joanne asked the candidates to get behind the Guarantee our Essentials campaign which asks that the basic rate of universal credit should at least cover the cost of essentials like food, household bills and travel.

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In addition, she called for continuous support for all children on free school meals during the school holidays, due to low income.

She said: “In 2023-24, we supported 9,150 people, specifically 3,933 adults and 5,217 children. These individuals are not defined by using our foodbank but have their own hopes, dreams, gifts and talents. Their one common factor is that they found themselves in crisis.”

“Being voted in as an MP brings with it the power to make a difference. Our request is that whoever is voted in as an MP for the Chichester and Arundel and South Downs constituencies, considers how they can best serve the one in five households who live below the poverty line.”

Also in attendance were the chairman of West Sussex County Council and the town crier.

The Cathedral has supported Chichester District Foodbank since its foundation ten years ago. As a food donation point, the Cathedral’s community is committed to raising vital donations, funds and awareness to help stop food poverty and support those in crisis in Chichester.