New Food Bank Opens In Hull

A new food bank opens in Hull today.

It's to help support a rising number of families in the city that are currently struggling.

Hull's only other food bank reported a 20% increase in the number of people coming to them for help last month.

The new service at St Mary's Church in Lowgate will provide food parcels to those in need without them having to have been referred by a local agency.

It's being run by Hull Homeless Outreach and project manager, Sarah Hemmingway, told Viking FM:

"We decided a food bank would be necessary for people who are on a low income or on benefits who are either sanctioned or who are on a low income and they can't get a referral or for those who are still waiting for a referral. This can tend to take a few weeks so we thought we would fill that gap, so anybody can come who is desperate.

"We have been told that some people who are on benefits sometimes have to wait a few weeks for communication between different departments or different systems so people are waiting for referrals so this way at least people can have some food in between.

"There's been a lot of cuts in Hull recently and a lot of services have shut so a lot of people have nowhere else to turn sometimes and they are desperate. There is also a lot of sanctions that happen with people having their benefits stopped for weeks on end and what are they supposed to do, starve?

"Maybe they've fallen behind with their rent or bills and sometimes they're desperate enough to not have enough food in the cupboards so this is where we come in. If anybody comes they don't need any ID or a referral and we will be giving out clothes too for anyone who is desperate for some warm clothes.

"There needs to be even more food banks opening. We've noticed that homelessness in Hull has risen too as we take records of who is rough sleeping and who is sofa surfing and there's been a big increase in the last few months."

Sarah hopes it can also support those who are too ashamed to come forward and ask for help:

"I probably would feel ashamed too, you don't know until you're in that situation so nnbody who comes we will welcome them , we won't take names and addresses as it is all discreet."