Harvest Appeal for Urgent Food Donations

Turning Tides highlights rising need as homelessness grows and food poverty worsens across West Sussex.

Local homelessness charity Turning Tides has launched its annual Harvest Appeal, calling on the community to donate food and essential items to support people facing homelessness across West Sussex.

Every donation goes directly to Turning Tides’ Community Hubs in Worthing and Littlehampton, where food is used to provide hot breakfasts and food parcels for homeless people, and to our residential projects, to support clients with meals and clients moving into their own accommodation. Last year alone, the charity supported over 1,000 local people experiencing homelessness at the community hubs and the need is sadly growing.

Turning Tides Community Development Manager, Amy Thorley, stated

“Harvest is traditionally a time of sharing and coming together and this year our Harvest Appeal is more vital than ever. We are seeing more people walk through our doors who never imagined they would need our help. Something as simple as a food donation can make the difference between going hungry or staying nourished and well. We know times are tough for all, just one tin or one pot noodle could make a huge difference to someone’s life.”

For many people experiencing homelessness, it is the simplest items that make the greatest difference. Pot noodles and ‘just add hot water’ meals are essential for clients who may only have access to a kettle in temporary accommodation. Some local cafés kindly provide hot water free of charge, giving rough sleepers the chance to prepare a warm meal.

Equally, tinned foods with ring-pull lids are vital for those who do not have access to a tin opener. A can of beans, tuna, or macaroni cheese with a ring-pull can provide immediate nutrition and protein for someone sleeping rough, a small detail that can mean the difference between eating or going hungry.

People experiencing homelessness often face poor health as a result of malnutrition and limited access to food. Nationally, life expectancy for people who are homeless is just 45 years for men and 43 for women, nearly half that of the general population. Turning Tides stresses that reliable access to food is essential not just for survival, but also for rebuilding health, resilience and hope.

The charity is asking for donations of food and toiletries, including:

Drinks: coffee, squash, bottled water, juice, sugar, long-life milk

Basics: baked beans, spaghetti hoops, pot noodles, pasta-n-sauce, microwave rice, sauces, cereal, porridge pots, snack bars, tinned meals, tinned tomatoes

Sandwich fillers: tinned ham, corned beef, tuna, sardines, mackerel, peanut butter, marmite

Sweet & savoury: biscuits, crisps, sweets, rice pudding, custard, tinned fruit

Toiletries: shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant

Donations can be dropped at Turning Tides’ Donation Hub, ordered via online food shops for delivery, sent as shopping vouchers, or purchased through the charity’s Amazon Wishlist. Please check opening times to ensure someone is there to take delivery.

Donations Officer, Moira Gardner, added:

“Every tin, packet and donation truly makes a difference. Our shelves have never been so bare and these donations are imperative to our services. As soon as goods come in, they are sent straight out to our services. This Harvest we are asking our community to stand with us, so we can continue to provide not just food, but dignity, compassion and hope.”

For more information and details on how to donate, visit: https://www.turning-tides.org.uk/harvest-turning-tides-2025/