Coronavirus Likely To Increase Food Bank Usage

                                                                                                                                            March 17 2020

FOOD bank charity, the Trussell Trust has described the outbreak of Coronavirus Covid-19 as an ‘unprecedented challenge’ and warned that food bank usage is likely to rise.

Trust chief executive Emma Revie said: “Time and again over the past decade, food banks across the UK – aided by a generous public who have donated time, food and money – have stepped up to protect people on the lowest incomes in our communities. But with the spread of coronavirus we all now face an unprecedented challenge and uncertain future. It is possible that food banks will face increased demand as people lose income, at the same time as food donations drop or staff and volunteers are unavailable, due to measures rightly put in place to slow the spread of infection. All of this comes when food banks are already dealing with a record level of need for emergency food.”

She added: “We’re working with our network on how best to support people as the situation unfolds. Wherever possible, food banks will continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food to people unable to afford the essentials and we encourage the public to continue donating after checking with their local food bank what items are most needed.”

She warned more people could be pushed towards food banks as a result of the economic impact of Covid 19 and expressed concern about the five week wait for a first payment of Universal Credit, calling on the Government to end the wait by offering grants rather than loans that have to be paid back later, following new measures introduced by last week’s Budget.

“We can prevent more people being locked into poverty as the outbreak develops by ending the wait now,” she said.

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