Norwich Foodbank gave out 4,793 emergency food parcels to people across Norwich in the last year – with 1,790 of these going to children.
Between April and September 2022 Norwich foodbank distributed more food parcels than in the same period last year and anticipate that this rise in need will continue as they prepare for what they expect to be the toughest winter yet.
Hannah Worsley, food bank manager at Norwich foodbank said:
“Like so many across the country, we continue to see an increase in the need for our service, but I know this is only part of the picture. In Norwich we have several Social Supermarkets, independent foodbanks and other food aid providers all seeking to help people in crisis. We are extremely grateful to the public and our communities for their support – volunteering, donating, prayers and facilities – but we are a sticking plaster and not a longer-term solution. We have commissioned direct support from Citizen’s Advice, Shelter, and British Red Cross to provide on-site support at our distribution centres as we know so many services are stretched and our vision of seeing an end to the need for foodbanks will only be realised in partnership with others.”
Norwich foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s network, which reports record levels of need in the last six months, with more than 1.3 million emergency food parcels given to people struggling to afford essentials between April 2022 and September 2022. Almost half a million of these parcels went to children.
The charity has warned that food banks are at ‘breaking point’, both physically and mentally, and are set to face the hardest winter yet as they expect to provide more than 7,000 emergency food parcels a day on average in the next six months.
Furthermore, research recently published by the Trussell Trust revealed that during August 2022, more than two million people had skipped meals across the previous three months to keep up with essential costs. In addition, 38% of people said they’d gone a whole day with no food at all or just one meal, in the last month, because they couldn’t afford to buy enough food*.
Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said:
“These new statistics show that, even in summer months, people are struggling to afford the essentials and we are expecting that this winter will be the hardest yet for food banks and the people they support. This is not right.
“We know that with the right support and a stable and sufficient income, people don’t need to turn to food banks for support. Over the last few years, the government has acted to protect people who are struggling, and this action has had made a difference. They must now act again: with swift support now to help people through the winter, and with vision for the longer-term to ensure that social security is always enough to weather challenging times.
“We are calling for the Prime Minister to act decisively in next week’s budget. We urge the UK government to realise their commitment of supporting people on the lowest income with a broad package of support. As well as ensuring that benefits rise with inflation as soon as possible, this must go further to close the gap between price rises and incomes over the winter.”
If you are in a position to donate, you can support the Trussell Trust’s Emergency Appeal Found now by donating vital funds to help the charity supporting food banks this winter. Visit trusselltrust.org/appeal
Pictured above is Hannah Worsley from Norwich Foodbank
Eldred Willey, 11/11/2022
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