A Bermondsey foodbank is fearing for its future after Zipcar’s retreat from London has tripled their transport costs.
Children at Bouthcer Primary School in Bermondsey, Bird in Bush Primary School in Peckham, Cathedral Primary School in Borough and Rye Oak Primary School in Peckham get regular meal kits from the South London Mission.
The charity based on Bermondsey Street delivers 147 meal kits, stuffed with healthy ingredients and recipes, to children at the four primary schools and used to pay £50 to hire a Zipcar van every Friday afternoon to deliver the boxes.
But since Zipcar pulled out of London in January, their transport costs have trebled.
It now costs them £150 to hire a van from the next-cheapest company once the congestion charge and insurance are factored in.
Without a more affordable option, the charity fears they might have to stop their weekly mealkit delivery round.
It will also mean they can’t get to a central London donation hub once a week where they pick up food and health products for their Wednesday food bank at the Bermondsey Central Hall Methodist Church on Bermondsey Street.
The charity has launched a fundraiser in the hope of securing enough donations to enable them to buy their own van.
The fundraising goal is set at £20,000, but to begin with they need to raise £5,000 by March 13.
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After that, the donations will be eligible for match-funding from the Big Give, the fundraising platform, which will hopefully push them towards their target.
Donate here.
