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“I want to build a country where ideally no one needs to use food banks,” said Rishi Sunak during the summer leadership competition.
But as we head into winter, the pressure is increasing on the new First Minister to make this wish come true, with the cost of living crisis forcing more and more people to use food banks.
The Trussell Trust, a charity which tackles food poverty, revealed that food banks are giving out more food than is being given to them.
As a result, the charity has launched their first Emergency Fund Appeal to help food banks meet the huge increase in demand.
Hackney food bank CEO Pam said: “Food donations have dropped by almost 50% so we have to buy food.
“Last year we spent almost nothing on food, this year we spent £125,000 on food and next year we estimate to spend £250,000 and that means we will have to cap who we can help them.
“I don’t want to be in the business of rationing but if we can’t afford that, what can we do?”
The Trussell Trust revealed that food banks are preparing for their toughest winter yet, with 7000 emergency food parcels expected to be distributed every day over the next six months.
The charity is urging the UK government to take urgent action as food banks face a ‘tipping point’.
Grace Wyld, a member of the policy research team at the Trussell Trust, said: “While charities will do everything they can to support people facing financial hardship, they cannot and should not be expected to pick up the pieces for the government. UK and increasingly. thread social security system.”
Emma Reive, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, added: “We are calling on the First Minister to take decisive action.
“We urge the UK government to realize their commitment to support people on the lowest incomes with a broad support package. As well as ensuring that benefits rise with inflation as quickly as possible, this must go further to close the gap between price rises and incomes over the winter.”
The charity, which represents a network of more than 1,300 food banks, revealed that 320,000 people have been forced to use a food bank over the past six months, an increase of 40% compared to 2021.
As levels of need for food exceed donations for the first time ever, food bank resources are being stretched to unmanageable levels.
With the situation expected to worsen over the coming months, food banks are making every effort to help people on the lowest income.
Chris Price, CEO of Pecan and a member of the Southwark food bank, said: “We know our numbers are going to increase at the food bank this winter.
“We’re turning our main reception in Peckham high street into a free drop-in cafe so people can come in for help, advice and friendship.
“It’s not just the food that’s important but a lot of people will feel lonely and stressed with that situation.”
If you are able to give, you can support the Trussell Trust’s emergency appeal by donating money to help support people this winter.
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