Good morning. It is Isabella here, back in your inbox with the latest issue of Survival Guide. 

This week, we visit Earlsfield Foodbank, which is seeing guests turn to sex work and dangerous loans because they are so desperate in the cost of living crisis. 

I spoke to a number of food bank visitors, including Jason, a diabetic who has not been able to eat because he can’t afford food. 

It is also the week that the King graces the cover of The Big Issue as he launches a new project to support frontline organisations tackling food poverty and food waste.

This isn’t going to solve the problem – we need changes from the government to fix the social security system and provide a proper safety net. 

But it feels significant that the King is shining a spotlight on this and opening up conversations. Maybe that might just lead to change.

Read on for more…

If you have a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Jason's story: 'It's been a hell of a struggle'

“I can’t eat because there is nothing to eat,” Jason told me as he waited for his food parcel to be packaged up on his first visit to a food bank. It is dangerous for anyone to go hungry like he has in recent weeks, but it is especially worrying for a diabetic.

“My daughter saw I wasn’t in the best of health and suggested this place,” he remarked, gesturing to the bustle of Earlsfield Foodbank in South London. “This is a godsend because, worst case, we can eat. The last few weeks have been a nightmare.”

Jason, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, is one of hundreds of thousands of people being forced to turn to a food bank for the first time in the cost of living crisis. I spoke to him and other food bank guests at the food bank. 

Others have been forced to turn to sex work and take out dangerous loans because of the bleak reality of food poverty in the UK. Read about the situation at Earlsfield Foodbank here. 

How you can help

Food banks need the support of their local communities to survive this winter. Even just one extra item of food in your weekly shop can make a difference to someone like Jason. 

The Trussell Trust has an online map where you can find a food bank near you, as does the Independent Food Aid Network. 

Most food banks have preferred drop-off points such as at their warehouse or local supermarkets, and many accept cash donations. You can make donations to the Trussell Trust, IFAN and other local food banks online.

Here is how to donate to a food bank near you and find out how to help Earlsfield Foodbank.

In case you missed it

We grilled the new children’s minister about UK kids living in destitution. It didn’t go well. Read about what he had to say when I asked him what the government planned to do about the devastating number of kids in extreme poverty. Here’s our exclusive.

Government plans for ‘welfare cuts’ slammed as ‘utter evil’ by disability campaigners. Disabled people could be “plunged into poverty” if the government’s proposed changes to the work capability assessment go ahead, charities have warned. Read about it.

Rough sleepers left ‘scared and disgusted’ after homeless tents destroyed. A video showing tents being destroyed went viral. Streets Kitchen tells The Big Issue the incident has led to “fear” on the streets. Get the story.

Allowing asylum seekers to work will help tackle growing refugee homelessness crisis. That’s according to Scotland’s refugee minister. Here’s what he said.

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The King wants action against food poverty

King Charles is on the cover of The Big Issue this week to launch his new venture fighting food poverty and food waste. It certainly comes at an interesting time considering the comments around homelessness made last week by the freshly-departed home secretary. 

Ultimately, what’s really important here is that it’s supporting and shining a spotlight on the important work of frontline organisations and charities who are having a positive impact on the lives of people facing food poverty across the country. The Felix Project is one, which I wrote about a few months ago.

The food project will supply commercial fridges and freezers to 800 locations across the UK, helping them rescue tonnes of additional fresh food. It is not going to solve food poverty, but it feels significant that the King is making a statement on this and recognising that there is a serious problem here that needs tackling. 

It’s more than what some in government are doing, that’s for sure (read what the children’s minister had to say to me about the number of kids living in destitution here.)

And it’s also helping our Big Issue vendors sell magazines at a time when the weather's getting colder and Christmas is approaching. You can find your local vendor here.

Are you doing positive work to tackle poverty in the cost of living crisis? Do you know someone who should be celebrated? Let me know at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com 

Saving those coins 

Warm spaces will be a lifeline to people struggling to afford their energy bills this winter. They are a safe space where people can get out of the cold, and many even offer hot drinks or entertainment. 

You can find out everything you need to know about warm spaces here and use this map to find one near you. It’s also worth checking out your local council’s website or asking them directly as they’ll be able to point you in the right direction for your local warm bank.