Concern as a Million Use Foodbanks

Wednesday April 22

The convener of a key Church of Scotland committee says it is ‘deeply concerning’ that the UK’s biggest foodbank charity was used over a million times last year.

The Trussell Trust reported that its foodbanks gave out food to 1,084,000 people, including almost 400,000 children, in the 2014/15 financial year. It was the first time that annual usage had gone over a million. In Scotland, the figure was over 117,000.

The Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, convener of the Church and Society Council, called for urgent action to address the issues behind food insecurity.

She said: “It is deeply concerning that in one of the richest countries in the world, in a nation with natural resources and a capacity to grow and produce food, that more and more people are experiencing food insecurity and are forced to use food banks.

“There is an urgent need to address the issues driving this sort of desperation - benefit cuts, sanctions and unstable low-paid work are some of these factors.

“Whilst the generosity of those volunteering and donating to emergency food centres is laudable, we have to work for a more sustainable solution that moves us beyond food banks. The church is well-placed to facilitate imaginative programs - community growing schemes, cooking programs and cafes are some examples of outside the box initiatives."

Trussell Trust foodbanks supply packages of three days’ emergency food. Everyone helped has been sent by a referral agency such as health or social services. Usage in 2014/15 was up by 19 per cent compared to the previous year. In the same period the number of foodbanks rose by five per cent.

The most common reason given for referral was delays in receiving benefits (nearly a third of users), followed by low income and benefit changes.

The Trust says that the figure for people helped is not for unique users, and that separate studies have indicated that on average users need two foodbank vouchers in a year.

Trussell Trust UK foodbank director Adrian Curtis said: “Despite welcome signs of economic recovery, hunger continues to affect significant numbers of men, women and children in the UK today. It’s difficult to be sure of the full extent of the problem as Trussell Trust figures don’t include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help.”

"If it wasn't for the foodbank I don't know where I'd be"

Post Tags: foodbanks

Related Stories

Benefits Call as Foodbank Use Rises

Church and Society Convener calls for urgent action.

Read More   >

Foodbank Charity Calls for Universal Credit Reform

Church and Society Convener calls for urgent action.

Read More   >

Foodbank Use at Record Levels

Church and Society Convener calls for urgent action.

Read More   >

Comments

There are currently no comments on this post

Add a reply

All fields are required. Email address will not be published.