A new photography exhibition that highlights the experiences of people suffering food insecurity has opened at West Buildings shelter on Worthing seafront.
The exhibition, titled Used to the Hunger, was created by Worthing Food Foundation and aims to highlight the experiences of people who access its help as well as raise money for the Worthing Borough Council-backed Fund our Food Banks crowdfunding scheme.
Powerful quotes from food bank users are displayed alongside images they have created to encapsulate their experience, as well as behind-the-scenes photos by local photographer Sam Pharoah.
With an estimated 12,000 people living in food poverty in Worthing even before the cost of living crisis worsened over recent months, Worthing Food Foundation and its 150 local volunteers helps those in urgent need.
It currently feeds over 700 people a week, on a non-referral basis, delivering food directly to their homes. However, the exhibition aims to encourage more of those who are struggling to overcome any stigma surrounding food bank use and offer a gateway to further services and support.
Worthing Food Foundation is one of the local food banks being supported by the Fund our Food Banks crowdfunder, which was launched late last year. Donations are being doubled by the Aviva Community Fund until 26th January 2023 – so if you donate £10 today, Aviva will match it by £10. To find out more, visit:
The project has been supported by Ideas Alliance, Colonnade House, Subway EPS and Worthing Borough Council, and will run at the West Buildings shelter (opposite the Travelodge) until March 2023.
Hilary Schan, from Worthing Food Foundation, said:
“With so many people in food crisis, we are extremely grateful to have so much support from the local community. The exhibition will offer a big thank you to them and hopefully encourage further donations at this critical time, while sending out the message that we are always here to help.”
Carl Walker, the Council’s Deputy Leader, said:
“Nearly 6 million adults and 1.7 million children have insufficient access to food in the UK. Despite this appalling fact, the decision to approach a food bank for support can still be deeply traumatic.
“Worthing Food Foundation puts dignity at the heart of everything it does, and this exhibition will give a clear insight into the day-to-day reality of both running and using a food bank, whilst celebrating the fantastic work done.”
