It was announced yesterday by the UK’s biggest foodbank charity, The Trussell Trust (22/04) that foodbanks have hit record numbers for the first time.
The number of people that have been referred to Trussell Trust’s network of over 400 foodbanks to receive an emergency supply of food has increased by 19% since 2013/14
(Source: TrussellTrust.org) Information graphic to show the increase in numbers of people given 3 days supply of emergency food since 2008/09
The figures published by the charity show that over 1m people in the last twelve months have received an emergency 3 days supply of food provided by foodbanks.
Food that is donated by the local community provides meals for 90% of referrals.
(Image: Holly-Leigh Luckman) Before: Sign to say that Stechford foodbank are low on the following food items.
(Image: Holly-Leigh Luckman) After: Stechford foodbank received a lot of sugar donations from the public after food appeal.
Trussell Trust’s UK foodbank director Adrian Curtis says:
Despite welcome signs of economic recovery, hunger continues to affect significant numbers of men, women and children in the UK today. It’s difficult to be sure of the full extent of the problem as Trussell Trust figures don’t include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help.”
A mum at a children’s holiday lunch club said that she was skipping meals to feed her children but couldn’t bring herself go to a foodbank, she said
“There are people out there more desperate than me. I’ve got a sofa to sell before I’ll go to the food bank.”
(Image: Holly-Leigh Luckman) In the last year, Trussell Trust’s network of foodbank have also fed both adults and children
A recent survey taken by 86 foodbank managers found that 90% believe that low income is the most alerting issue that is driving demand for the charity’s network of foodbanks.
Administrative delays in paying benefits also won 84% of the vote, another ‘major issue’ contributing to the high demand for emergency food.
People working in a job role on minimum wage are struggling more than ever before. They are having difficultly to not only feed themselves but the rest of the family.
Between 2014-15, over 30,000 care line professionals such as social workers, health visitors and school liaison officers referred people to the Trussell Trust foodbanks.
These trained professionals can refer someone if they happen to spot the signs that someone may be struggling and is need of emergency food. These potential signs could be a dramatic weight loss, hunger pains, depression or stress.
The client is provided with a red slip after being referred from a care line professional giving them access to a maximum supply of 3 days emergency food that is nutritionally designed and prepared from The Trussell Trust picking lists.
(Image: Holly-Leigh Luckman) Project Manager at Stecford foodbank, Faydene Gillings-Grant preparing emergency food from the picking list.
Stechford foodbank
Via (Infogr.am) by Holly Luckman
See the Stechford’s full inforgraphic here for more shocking figures
Stechford foodbank is situated at All Saints Church; it first opened in February 2014 and runs on the donations and support from the local community.
John Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Yardley Constituency has said he is working closely with Stechford foodbank to identify the key reasons of the rising number of referrals.
He has found issues relating to ‘habitual residence’ and states he welcomes the team’s willingness to support the local people in need.
Faydene, Stechford foodbank’s project manager reported that the 3 main reasons for Stechford food bank referrals are:
In their first year, Stechford foodbank have helped over 1,000 people by providing them with emergency food.
To see Stechford’s full infographic, click here
(Source: TrussellTrust.org) Regional breakdown graphic for the number of people given emergency food
Faydene Gillings-Grant, Project Manager at Stechford foodbank said:
These figures are heart-breaking but we are glad to be able to make a difference in association with our colleagues across the network and bless our families and our neighbourhood here in Stechford and surrounding areas
Supermarket help
Via (The Grocer)
Tesco are first supermarket to team up with charity
\Last year, Tesco was the first national supermarket to team up with the charity and host regular collections in-store.
The supermarket giant work closely with The Trussell Trust and Fareshare to fight food poverty because they believe no-one should go hungry.
Last year, Tesco provided 4.7 million meals to help feed people in need by topping up donations by 30% through their last collection.
If you know someone who may be struggling to feed their family, please visit www.trusselltrust.org.uk – you can also find your local foodbank on the map.
What do you think should be done to prevent the number of referrals to foodbanks increasing? Tweet us @bhameastside and don’t forget to use the #BRUMVOTE
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