Can you imagine having to make the choice between buying food, fuel or paying bills? That’s the real dilemma more people are having to face and as a result Horsham Matters is seeing demand for its service rise once again.

The charity provides emergency food parcels from its six weekly foodbank sessions in central Horsham and from its mobile foodbank visiting eight surrounding towns and villages. In February alone Horsham Matters fed more than 400 residents, up from 343 in January, and that’s before April’s NI increase and fuel bill hike began to bite. 

Support is also offered to those experiencing fuel poverty and in February fuel vouchers were issued almost every day to those having to decide between heating and eating. 

When money is that tight, when things go wrong there is no back up and the charity is seeing a significant upturn in demand for white goods as residents don’t have the spare funds needed to purchase a replacement when theirs breaks down. 

Over the past months Horsham Matters has also supplied beds for clients who were having to sleep on the floor and supported those facing eviction by moving and storing their furniture while in temporary accommodation. 

In response to the growing need for support, the charity has launched a Cost-of-Living Crisis fundraising campaign. It needs your support to ensure it can meet the needs of the growing number of people suffering hardship. Horsham Matters managing director Emma Elnaugh says: “We appreciate that times are tough for all of us, but any donation, however small, can make a big impact on our ability to meet these increasing needs.”

How to donate: 

Go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/Horshamcostoflivingcrisis. Please add Gift Aid if you are eligible as the charity can claim 25p extra in every £1 donated. 

£15 will fund three days’ emergency food for a single person using the foodbank 

£40 will fund a three-day parcel for a family of four 

£49 will fund a fuel voucher for someone experiencing fuel poverty