New figures show 1961 emergency food supplies given to local people by Tameside East Foodbank in six months
Between 1st April and 30th September 2017, 1961 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people in crisis by Tameside East Foodbank, of this number, 724 went to children. The foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust’s network which has today reported an increase in UK foodbank use, believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments; Universal Credit roll out in the area; low wages; insecure work and closure of local charities offering crisis support.
In the months leading to Christmas a number of factors, such as cold weather and high energy bills, or foodbanks and referral agencies ensuring that people who are likely to hit crisis have food ahead of Christmas Day, mean The Trussell Trust’s foodbank network traditionally sees a spike in foodbank use. Tameside East Foodbank is asking the community to help them prepare for one of their busiest time of year by donating urgently needed food items.
Tameside East Foodbank shares the concerns of other Trussell Trust foodbanks in full Universal Credit rollout areas about the issues people referred to the charity have experienced with the new system. The 6+ week waiting period for a first payment can contribute to debt, mental health issues and rent arrears. The effects of these can last even after people receive their Universal Credit payments, as bills and debts pile up. Tameside East Foodbank is working hard to help prevent local people affected going hungry but is troubled by the extra pressure this puts on food donation stocks and volunteers’ capacity.
Mark Ward, Interim Chief Executive at The Trussell Trust, said:
“We’re seeing soaring demand at foodbanks across the UK. Our network is working hard to stop people going hungry but the simple truth is that even with the enormous generosity of our donors and volunteers, we’re concerned foodbanks could struggle to meet demand this winter if critical changes to benefit delivery aren’t made now. People cannot be left for weeks without any income, and when that income does come, it must keep pace with living costs – foodbanks cannot be relied upon to pick up the pieces. Without urgent action from policy-makers and even more generous practical support from the public, we don’t know how foodbanks are going to stop families and children going hungry this Christmas.”
Contact:
Trisha Jarman
Project Manager
Tameside East Foodbank
- Tameside East Foodbank has been providing three days emergency food and support to local people since December 2012.
- Between April and September 2017, 1961 three day emergency food supplies were provided to people in Tameside East by the foodbank. Of this number, 724 went to children. For UK-wide Trussell Trust foodbank statistics visit https://www.trusselltrust.org/news-and-blog/latest-stats/ .
- 85 tonnes of food were donated by the local community in April to September 2017.
- Tameside East Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust network. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide three days’ nutritionally balanced food and support to people in crisis in the UK, and signpost people to other agencies and services able to help resolve the underlying cause of the crisis.
- The Trussell Trust is a charity motivated by Christian principles that runs the biggest network of foodbanks in the UK. For more on The Trussell Trust visit www.trusselltrust.org