New figures released by Morecambe Bay Foodbank reveal 5264 emergency food parcels were provided to people in April – September 2021.
1910 of these went to children.
The figures are an 64.4% increase on the same period in 2019, and we believe the increase in local people needing support is due to pressures from the pandemic, the £20 cut to Universal Credit and increasing energy bills.
The food bank is part of the Trussell Trust network, which on average provided more than 5,100 emergency food parcels to people across the UK every day in April – September 2021. Almost 2,000 of these were provided for children. It’s an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2019 and over the last five years there’s been a 74% increase.
The Foodbank team are worried that families face an even tougher winter after £20 per week was cut from Universal Credit payments last month. This is on-top of rising fuel costs this winter and soaring inflation.
“It’s not right that people in our community are needing a charity’s help to put food on the table,” said Dusty Thomas, Trustee of Morecambe Bay Foodbank. “Everyone should be able to afford the essentials. And we know our figures are just the tip of the iceberg as different community organisations, independent food banks and local authorities have also been working during the pandemic to support our community.
“We’re always blown away by the amount of support and generosity local people show in supporting our work – our vital work has only been possible because of that incredible support. Thank you so much.
“While our help continues to be needed, we’re dedicated to ensuring that people without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. Because we don’t think it’s right that any of us are forced to turn to any charity for emergency food. That’s why we’re proud to be working alongside other food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network to push for the long-term changes we need to reach a future where everyone has enough money for the essentials.”
December is often the food bank’s busiest month, so Morecambe Bay Foodbank are asking local people who are considering supporting their work to donate food via our local donation points across the District, or to make a regular monthly donation to support their work.