{"id":89531,"date":"2021-03-23T12:57:40","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T12:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=1134026"},"modified":"2021-03-23T12:57:40","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T12:57:40","slug":"campaigner-maia-thomas-is-taking-the-initiative-to-reduce-food-poverty-in-devon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/03\/23\/campaigner-maia-thomas-is-taking-the-initiative-to-reduce-food-poverty-in-devon\/","title":{"rendered":"Campaigner Maia Thomas is taking the initiative to reduce food poverty in Devon"},"content":{"rendered":"

March is being commemorated as Women\u2019s History Month<\/a>, and The Canary<\/em> has featured the important work of Black women such as climate activist Wawa Gatheru<\/a> and dementia expert Rianna Patterson.<\/a><\/p>\n

In the same vein, we recently spoke to Maia Thomas, a 22-year-old equality activist based in Exeter, Devon. Thomas has spent 2021 tackling food poverty. Her campaigning strives to fulfil a critical need which the local council and government are failing to properly address.<\/p>\n

Feed Our Community<\/h5>\n

On 17 January, Thomas started up the grassroots project called Feed Our Community<\/a>. The project aims to reduce food poverty and food waste in the local area. Through working with supermarkets and volunteers, the initiative puts together essential food packages before distributing and delivering them to anyone who’s struggling. This includes those from low income households, people who are on furlough, and anyone in emergency situations.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s as simple as dropping them a message. There are no questions asked or lengthy proof of income requests, and it operates as a helping hand to those in need.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Maia Thomas \/ Evolve Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thomas told The Canary:<\/em><\/p>\n

I started this up with around \u00a33,000 of my own money. I had hundreds of people waiting [for food packages] in the first week. Then I started a GoFundMe<\/a> which has raised over \u00a39,000 with all proceeds going towards food and other costs involved with the projects. Everyone that helps to deliver, and pack food packages do it for free.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In just 8 weeks, over 2,900 households across Devon received free food packages. And to help people break out of the poverty cycle, the project also provides access to free Zoom calls on \u201chousehold and financial management, meal preparation and smart ways to shop”. It also helps with emergency top ups for gas and electricity.<\/p>\n

Child poverty<\/h5>\n

In April 2020, Devon Live<\/em> reported:<\/a><\/p>\n

New Government figures have revealed that a massive 37,485 children in Devon were living below the breadline in March 2019. This was even before the cost of housing was taken into account.<\/p>\n

The overall number means that around one in every seven children in Devon is living in poverty (15%) – although that figure is higher in some areas than others.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Before the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, many were already struggling to stay afloat and afford basic necessities. Now, the heath crisis has heightened the problem.<\/p>\n

As the Easter<\/a> holidays approach, Devon County Council (DCC) has set out plans for a \u2018holiday food voucher scheme<\/a>\u2019. Melissa Caslake, chief officer for children\u2019s services stated:<\/a><\/p>\n

Devon\u2019s level of food insecurity has risen over the past 12 months, with rates of over 20% in Mid Devon, North Devon, and Teignbridge. The scheme will mean almost 16,000 food vouchers will be distributed to those families in need and that qualify.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“It’s a crazy amount of pressure”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before coronavirus hit, data<\/a> from the Child Poverty Action Group showed:<\/p>\n

There were 4.2 million children (under 18) living in poverty in the UK in 2018-19.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That\u2019s the equivalent of \u201cnine in a classroom of 30\u201d.<\/p>\n

Poverty has always been an issue. And although measures have been put in place to ease the impact of the pandemic, they’re not enough. For instance, problems still arise with support outside of holiday periods. And these schemes only target families with children who are eligible for free school meals. But there are many more people living below the poverty line, facing all kinds of hardship, who are also struggling to make ends meet.<\/p>\n

Thomas said:<\/p>\n

What about after Easter? It\u2019s a crazy amount of pressure because if I stop and the other food groups [charities] stop then we take on the guilt of people not eating. Whenever the GoFundMe runs out, I end up putting my own money into it when really it\u2019s not solely my responsibility to feed Devon.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Credit: Evolve Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Suffering in silence<\/h5>\n

In September, according to research<\/a> from The Trussell Trust:<\/p>\n

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