Urgent appeal launched as FareShare Sussex & Surrey predicts “toughest winter yet”
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As demand for food provision charities continues to soar, FareShare Sussex & Surrey is appealing for donations this December, aiming to raise £50,000 in just one week to provide 200,000 meals for people in need.
The Big Give appeal is taking place from Tuesday 2 – Tuesday 9 December and all donations made during this period will be doubled, meaning supporters’ generosity will have twice the impact in helping those facing hunger across Sussex and Surrey this winter.
With 83% of charities reporting increased demand for their food and services, FareShare Sussex & Surrey’s charity partners are under significant and growing pressure. The charity is predicting a tougher winter this year due to unusually early harvests, with less winter produce available as a result – putting further strain on the surplus food system.
The theme for this year’s Big Give, Hunger Doesn’t Stop for Christmas, reflects the growing challenges many families are facing.
Dan Slatter, CEO of FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said: “This winter may be the toughest yet for many people in our communities as food and energy costs remain incredibly high, and we are seeing an urgent demand for our services.
“Your support could help a parent feed their children without going hungry themselves, or enable an elderly neighbour to turn on their heating while still having food on their plate.”
The charity helps those who live in areas with the highest levels of deprivation across the two counties, working with community groups to provide healthy meals to 28,500 people in need each week.
Claire Fuller, manager at Burgess Hill and District Pantry in West Sussex, said: "We are already seeing an increase in demand for our help. As winter draws nearer, bringing colder weather, many struggle to be able to feed themselves and their families. We always have a waiting list and it is a constant battle to offer support to everyone in need.
“Fareshare Sussex & Surrey’s deliveries allow us to offer our service users valuable, fresh fruit and vegetables and a variety of chilled and frozen foods, helping us distribute healthy nutritious food to those who need it most."
Martin Vodden, chair of Trustees Foodwise (TLC) Limited, which runs Shopwise in Woking, Surrey, said: “FareShare Sussex & Surrey's support is what keeps our shelves well-stocked – without our weekly deliveries of fresh fruit, vegetables and staples, we simply would not be able to operate.
“Foodwise and Shopwise are seeing increasing need and winter will only increase demand. More people are walking through our doors from across the working spectrum, as families struggle to make ends meet.
“One of the hardest choices we hear is some families choosing between heating and eating or prioritising the children over their own health. No child or family should be going hungry or making such heart rendering choices, not on our watch. We need to step up more and help those that are struggling.”
An anonymous beneficiary said: “The food [from FareShare Sussex & Surrey] helps me with costs. It is nice to have a meal and to take food home."
FareShare Sussex & Surrey rescues and redistributes surplus food to 248 local organisations across the counties, helping to combat hunger, prevent waste and reduce carbon emissions at the same time.
To find out more about FareShare Sussex & Surrey, please visit: https://faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk/
To donate to the charity’s Big Give campaign this year between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 December, please visit: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS0000066xzeYAA
*FareShare Impact Report 2024/25
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Editors notes
FareShare Sussex & Surrey rescues surplus, good-to-eat food from businesses, supermarkets, manufacturers and farms. This food is nutritious, in-date and safe, including fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat and more.
Without FareShare Sussex & Surrey, this food would go to waste. Instead, it’s redistributed to day centres, schools, shelters, refuges, community fridges and other frontline organisations across Sussex and Surrey.
Food poverty is a serious and worsening issue. As of early 2024, 10.2% of people in Sussex live in income deprivation – higher than the South East average – with food insecurity rising sharply due to the cost-of-living crisis.
In 2024/25, FareShare Sussex & Surrey:
1. Saved and redistributed 2,651 tonnes of surplus food
2. Provided the equivalent of 6.26 million meals
3. Supported 28,525 people each week via 248 charity and community partners
4. Helped partners save £16.5 million in food costs
5. Prevented 4,242 tonnes of CO₂e – the same as 298 return flights from London to Sydney
6. Was powered by 728 volunteers, who donated 32,963 hours of their time
Every £1 invested in FareShare Sussex & Surrey delivers £10.87 in social value.
