Ep. 39 Empty Boxes: How One Woman in Gateshead Built a Lifeline for Thousands

Welcome to 'This Is The North' Podcast, your source of transformative conversations. An intentional challenge to the systems holding back the North of England. Hosted by Alison Dunn, an award-winning charity chief executive and former solicitor. This podcast is supported by the Society Matters Foundation and is dedicated to curating and sharing knowledge, powering the change we need for a more equal and inclusive society.In this episode, Alison sits down with Juliet Sanders, founder and CEO of Feeding Families, a charity born from a single act of kindness in 2016 that has grown into a regional lifeline feeding tens of thousands across the Northeast.It started with two unwanted sofas. When Juliet delivered them to a house in Gateshead, what she found stopped her in her tracks: five children under seven, no furniture, and a mother who wrapped empty boxes for Christmas because she had nothing to give them. "We came out of the house and thought, what do we do? We can't just walk away."When Juliet posted on social media asking if anyone needed help, 200 people responded within an hour. Crucially, it wasn't just people asking for help, it was people saying "If I knew who to help, I would help." She thought maybe they could support 50 families that first Christmas. They supported 719.Today, Feeding Families works with 366 partner organisations, providing food, toiletries, and culturally appropriate provisions to families who fall through every other safety net. A Newcastle school discovered children weren't attending because they couldn't maintain basic hygiene. When Feeding Families provided soap and deodorant, attendance improved.Juliet opens up about her own challenging experiences, living on a bag of pasta, surviving domestic violence, and discovering ten siblings she never knew existed through Ancestry. "When you've been in really difficult situations, there's nothing really left to fear."They explore systemic issues driving food insecurity, including the two-child benefit cap, and why many struggling families are actually in work. Juliet articulates her vision for policy changes but is brutally honest about the limits of charity: "I can only put a sticking plaster on a gaping wound."As Juliet prepares to retire, she reflects on founder syndrome with remarkable self-awareness: "The work matters more than ego."Timestamps: 00:00 A Chance Encounter Sparks a Movement01:18 Introducing Juliet Sanders and Feeding Families01:55 The Birth of Feeding Families06:24 The First Christmas Miracle07:44 Scaling Up: From One Family to Thousands10:01 Challenges and Changes in the Northeast13:24 The Unique Model of Feeding Families17:03 Addressing Cultural Needs and Inclusivity20:49 Juliet's Personal Journey: Adoption and Family24:54 A Tragic Loss and a New Hope25:18 Reuniting with Siblings26:54 Discovering More Family31:03 Leading an Organisation37:00 A Unique Qualification39:04 Challenges and Resilience41:49 Addressing Food Insecurity47:59 A Call to ActionHost: Alison DunnGuest: Juliet SandersThis podcast is produced by Purpose Made.How You Can Help: Visit feedingfamilies.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.