Food Banks under pressure

All photos: © Big Help Project organisation

SHANNON GARNER meets members of Merseyside food charities to find out how the current pandemic has affected their services

New research shows that reliance on food banks across the UK has seen a dramatic rise since the coronavirus crisis began. A report released by the Trussell Trust last month states that around half of the people who have used a food bank since COVID-19 have never needed one before. The Big Help Project and the PLS Food Foundation, both Merseyside charities which aim to alleviate poverty, have spoken openly about the impact of the current pandemic on their organisations. There have been numerous tweets about the ‘desperate need’ for specific items and about how donations in 2020 have been ‘considerably reduced’ due to lockdown for not only Knowsley’s food banks, but also for those across the country. Bridie Menton, senior support officer for The Big Help Project said: “Each department has seen an increase in need but none more than our food services. Our food services have seen a whole increase in demand.” She told Liverpool Life: “People who have never financially struggled or experienced food poverty before have been having to reach out for help and support. Since March 2020, our food support services have distributed food to over 30,000 people. In comparison, Knowsley food bank fed around 10,000 last year.” When asked how the food banks and organisation have been reacting to this increase, she said: “As the need grew to an unprecedented level during the pandemic, the food banks and Big Help Project have acquired the help of Knowsley Council, corporate funding, food from businesses forced to close, individual and local business donations.” The lockdown and restrictions that have been on-going since March have also shown a sense of community despite the situation causing many to feel like they were alone. Bridie said the community has been a huge help. She said: “We have also partnered with community groups to deliver the food to those shielding during the worst of the pandemic. We have reached out to the community and they have come to our aid during the most demanding time we have ever seen.” The award-winning Knowsley-based charity is said to have been “extremely lucky” with its volunteers during the tough times but has had the issue of many of them having to shield during the height of COVID-19 as most tend to be older. However, they have had help from groups such as Liverpeddlerpool and the or YourTravel organisation who delivered food during the height of lockdown. Despite having just enough volunteers to run the food banks and being given funding from Knowsley Council to fulfil the level of needs, Bridie said: “The main effect has been on our food donations. There have been many times when our trays and warehouse have been a lot emptier than it usually would be.” Paul Martin, the chair of PLS Food Liverpool added: “The supply of items has reduced a little. Supply chains to our normal donation partners have dried up and in the case of one regular partner it stopped altogether as their restaurants closed.” The Trussell Trust report also states that there is likely to be another increase in the need for food banks during this winter. It is expected to increase by 61% which will equal six parcels being given out every minute. Bridie said: “During the build up to Christmas, when many have more heating and gas bills and have to choose between heating or eating, food poverty is at its highest. We really hope people are able to give what they can in winter.” Paul added: “Demand often has a tendency to increase between late October and January. I expect this to be even more difficult this winter. As always, our charity will do its best to get food items to wherever they need to be.”