HOW ARE WE going to feed our animals? That is the question which staff at Stepney City Farm are asking. They have now decided that the only answer is an appeal to the public for financial help.
The City Farm is deeply engaged with the local community. It helps show children how animals (and food crops!) are cared for, but it serves a wider community too. It provides a little oasis in a very built up area which provides a welcome break for many members of the public. It is a lifeline for those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Most of the Farm’s income is generated by its own semi-commercial activities, such as room hire, and donations from visitors. These income streams have come to a sudden halt. Many small businesses have been able to “furlough” staff, with the Government paying 80% of their wage costs. The Farm has been unable to do that: it can’t lay off staff, because they need to keep coming in to feed and look after the animals.
“Isolation means that overnight we have lost 45% of the Farm’s income and we are looking at a loss of around £27,000 by June,” explained Clare Hawkins, the Farm’s CEO. “We are now also working hard to keep isolated members of our local community supplied with affordable, fresh produce during the lockdown. When the crisis is over, we want to be here for people to recover from issues caused by the pandemic, including anxiety, depression, isolation, fear of going out, hunger and loss of work.”
The Farm has given an exemplary breakdown of some of its costs. •£2.50 could feed our sheep and goats for a day •£10 could feed our rabbits for a week •£25 could feed our chickens for a week •£50 could pay for a donkey hoof trim. Every penny counts – and the animals will be very grateful for whatever you can spare.
●To donate to Stepney City Farm’s COVID-19 Survival Appeal, go to: Appeal
●Read more about it: City Farm tackles eco-questions Council declares climate emergency and then fells trees