Support Your Local Food bank

A RECORD 2½ million emergency food parcels were given to people in need across the UK in the past year. That’s 2 bags of provisions every minute between April 2020 and March 2021, with just under 1 million handed over to children. These latest numbers highlight an alarming 128% rise compared to the same time period five years ago.

The Trussell Trust recently report the following statistics:

• Food banks have reported the busiest fortnight during the first two weeks of the pandemic
• In the first two weeks of the pandemic, food banks in the network saw need increase by 81% 
• They distributed an average of 6,250 emergency food parcels daily
• For children need increased by 122%
• That’s over 6,250 emergency food parcels provide to people in crisis each day, with close to 3,000 for children every single day during that fortnight!

Food banks are continuing to meet this need despite some of the most challenging circumstances, and this would not been possible without your support. You have helped achieve a great deal in the last few weeks.

Overwhelming Support & Love

Our local food banks have been overwhelmed by the love, compassion and empathy of people.  By standing alongside them, you’re helping food banks to dynamically adapt to the challenging task ahead. The passion and resilience of these food banks is nothing short of outstanding.

They are determined to continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food for the people who need it most – even if this means completely overhauling their delivery model or processes to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

The Coronavirus is an unprecedented challenge for local food banks, and they don’t yet know how things will unfold. The Trussell Trust and other food bank centres are working with their network on how best to support people, and wherever possible, food banks will continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food.

Food banks are running low on many items and this is where as an industry we can help, with anything we might have in our cupboard, ask your

friends, family and neighbours if they can also donate a tin or two to collect up and donate, or buy a couple of items at the supermarket and donate onto your local food bank.  Many of the food banks are still open, some on reduced hours and allocating one drop off area but remain in desperate need of food.

We encourage you where possible to continue donating after checking with your local food bank what items are most needed, these lists can be found on the food banks website.

The Trussell Trust have 1,200 food bank centres in their network, giving services like money advice, holiday clubs and cookery courses, helping support people in crisis across the UK, where thirteen million people live below the poverty line.

Individuals are going hungry every day for a range of reasons, from benefit delays to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income.

The Trussell Trust recognise that stopping hunger is about More Than Food, which is why they work with food banks to provide a range of services like money advice and Fuel Banks, helping people to break the cycle of poverty.

• Find your local Food bank – find out what items they need, this can be found on their web page, email or call to check before donating
• Deliver to a collection point – direct to local food bank, supermarket, church, or organise you own local collection point in your office (if safe to do so)
• Volunteer – donate your time to help out, collecting food, sorting, packing or making tea, provide a friendly face to those who need it
• Fundraise – plan a fundraising event to raise funds for The Trussell Trust central support fund supporting all foodbanks, working on expanding the additional services available to help tackle the issues that cause poverty to help clients overcome this. Get a Tea for Trussell pack to host a tea party
• Regular Donation – payroll giving, direct debit or standing order
• Partner with your local Food bank – through fundraising, sponsoring or donating equipment or by sharing skills that the foodbank might benefit from
• Newsletter – Sign up to receive regular news and updates from The Trussell Trust click here
• Share – tell us what you are planning and we can help promote your good deed or event; info@agentsiving.org. Agents Giving: #agentsgiving, Facebook
  Trussell Trust: #trusselltrust Facebook

Please note that food banks are currently very busy and mostly run by volunteers, please contact them direct through their email, which can be found on their web page or call before donating. In some instances you might be able to organise a visit to the food bank to deliver your parcel donation. They may be able to come along to your offices to tell you a bit more about the great work they do, or give you a call back to discuss how best you can get involved.