Food Banks under pressure

Sorting out supplies © Big Help Project organisation

New research shows but none more than our food services. that reliance on food Our food services have seen a whole banks across the UK increase in demand.” has seen a dramatic She told Liverpool Life: “People rise since the corona- who have never financially struggled virus crisis began. or experienced food poverty before A report released by the Trussell have been having to reach out for Trust last month states that around help and support. Since March 2020, half of the people who have used a our food support services have disfood bank since COVID-19 have tributed food to over 30,000 people. never needed one before. In comparison, Knowsley food bank The Big Help Project and the PLS fed around 10,000 last year.” Food Foundation, both Merseyside When asked how the food banks charities which aim to alleviate and organisation have been reacting poverty, have spoken openly about to this increase, she said: “As the the impact of the current pandemic need grew to an unprecedented level on their organisations. There have during the pandemic, the food banks been numerous tweets about the and Big Help Project have acquired ‘desperate need’ for specific items the help of Knowsley Council, corand about how donations in 2020 porate funding, food from businesses have been ‘considerably reduced’ due forced to close, individual and local to lockdown for not only Knowsley’s business donations.” food banks, but also for those across The lockdown and restrictions that the country. have been on-going since March Bridie Menton, senior support have also shown a sense of commuofficer for The Big Help Project nity despite the situation causing said: “Each department has seen an many to feel like they were alone. increase in need Bridie said the community has been a huge help.

Foodbank reliance on the rise

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

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.”