I skipped meals to feed my kids & lost 5 stone in 3 months – then I learnt my local foodbank was shut, says mum

SINGLE Gemma Smith, 30, runs a food bank and lives in Hastings with her two children, aged 13 and 10. 

“My stomach gave a loud rumble as I watched my kids finish their dinner.

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“Most parents might encourage their children to clear their plates, but a part of me hoped that there might be a few crusts left over, knowing that would be my only chance of a meal that day.

“It’s hard to imagine that just a few years ago I would have been able to treat my family to virtually any dinner they liked.

“Running my own logistics company, I was bringing in £1,200 a week and we were very comfortable.

“But in December 2019 I was forced to flee my home after becoming a victim of domestic violence and I was placed in temporary accommodation.

“I gave up everything, including my business. Because I had closed it down myself I wasn’t entitled to claim benefits.

“I barely had two pennies to rub together, so six months after I lost my business I turned to my local food bank to help feed me and my two children.

“It was a lifeline, but in January this year we were left destitute when the local food bank closed.

“There was no other option – someone had to go without and I was never going to let that be my children. The hunger was relentless and it was day in day out.

“I was absolutely starving at times and went from 112 kilos to 78 kilos in three months.

“And it didn’t just have a physical impact – my mental health deteriorated too.

“You have no energy because you’re not eating and you can’t sleep because hunger keeps you awake, so you’re even more tired.

“The kids began to suffer as a result and they were obviously aware of the situation. 

“It got to the point where they were asking for foods I knew they didn’t like.

“When I asked them why, they told me the cat liked it and I realised they were choosing to feed the pets over themselves.

“My lowest point came when I was finally able to get some food in my freezer and then I couldn’t afford the electricity to keep it running.

“I was absolutely desperate so I reached out to my local food bank which had closed and asked if I could help to keep it running.

“I was told the only thing I could do was start my own, so five weeks ago I did.

“This food bank has made a massive difference to my life personally, but it has helped so many others, too.

“When I heard that almost half of mums have skipped meals over the summer holidays to feed their children I was surprised the number wasn’t higher.

“Almost everyone I know is in that situation and my food bank is teeming with hungry families every day.

“The government must do more to support them, but in the meantime please consider donating to your local food bank.

“It could be the difference between eating and starving for some.”