BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:53@faithintowerhamlets.org DTSTART:20231114T180000Z DTEND:20231114T200000Z DTSTAMP:20231114T125238Z URL:https://www.faithintowerhamlets.org/events/tower-hamlets-inter-faith-f orum-inter-faith-week-2023-food-poverty/ SUMMARY:Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum - Inter Faith Week 2023: Food Pover ty DESCRIPTION:\nSEE AGENDA HERE!\nFood poverty is defined as the inability to afford\, or to have access to\, food to make up a healthy diet. Tower Ham lets remains one of the poorest boroughs in London\, with one of the highe st rates of poverty in the country\, 39 percent or more people living in p overty in the Borough. Tower Hamlets also has the highest rates of child p overty in the UK\, and highest rates of elderly people in the country who live in low income households.\nAs the Cost of Living crisis continues\, m ore families are facing the associated problems\, including food poverty. \nIn April 2023\, the Council published findings of their Scrutiny Review of Food Insecurity in the borough\, making various recommendations includi ng more work needs to be done on issues including better collaboration and communication and more work with the private sector\, the need for ‘wra paround services’ at foodbanks\, and improving the nutritional quality o f food provided these services. \nThe Council have made positive steps in addressing poverty\, the root cause of food insecurity\, including becomin g the first borough to introduce free school meals for both primary and se condary pupils\, holding Holiday Food programmes\, and running a Food Hub and Food Store Network. \nBut does this go far enough? What is still neede d by grassroots food providers to support people that need them? \nJoin us to hear a panel discussion with:\n\n\n Cost of Living Support &\; Foo d Insecurity – Vincent Wood\, Senior Cost of Living Officer\, London Bor ough of Tower Hamlets\n Warm Welcome Spaces – Reverend James Olanipekun \, Christ Apostolic Church and THIFF Steering Group\n Panel discussion on food insecurity: Challenges and Solutions – with Sister Christine Frost MBE and founder of Neighbours in Poplar\, Joanna Read\, CEO at Bow Foodba nk and Vincent Wood\, Senior Cost of Living Officer\, London Borough of To wer Hamlets\n Q&\;A – Put your questions and comments to the panel\n Tower Hamlets Engagement Strategy – Jaber Khan\, Senior Strategy and P olicy Officer\, Corporate Strategy and Communities\, London Borough of Tow er Hamlets\n plus an interactive activity with Fair Future UK. \n\nCan t he council do more to empower local grassroots organisations through grant s\, food\, and equipment?\n\n\n How can there be better collaboration and communication between all stakeholders? \n How can services be equipped to offer a wraparound service\n Has collaboration with the private sector improved? \n How can small faith settings be supported to start their ow n foodbank?\n\nHave your say too! There will be space for open discussion and to put your questions and comments to the panel.\n\n\n Do you have id eas for how foodbanks can be improved?\n What are your experiences of usi ng food services? \n What does true partnership working mean to you?\n\nL IGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED! REGISTER AT: https://www.eventbrite.co .uk/e/715243792437?aff=oddtdtcreator LOCATION:Tramshed Community Hub\, Digby Street \, London\, E2 0LS\, United Kingdom GEO:51.527453;-0.050171 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Digby Street \, London\, E2 0LS\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Tramshed Community Hub:ge o:51.527453,-0.050171 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR