8,000 food parcels handed out in Salisbury during 2023-2024

Salisbury Foodbank has revealed it's handed out more than 8,000 food parcels in 2023-24 amid record numbers being given out by a Salisbury-based food poverty charity.

The Trussell Trust say it's provided a record 3.1 million parcels to people in need in the last 12 months.

And Foodbank Manager, Maria Stevenson says it's a statistic she's all too used to.

"It might be sensational for general public, but I'm living and breathing this every single day, somewhat desensitised to the grandioso figure of 3.1 million," she said.

She added: "However, it still saddens me that more and more people are seeking support from charities to sustain themselves and their families."

The 8,000 parcels Maria and her team of volunteers have handed out is actually a 2% decrease on the previous year.

"I see that as a win," she said, adding that they are working hard with support agencies across Wiltshire, including Wiltshire Citizens Advice to offer financial support for people accessing the foodbank's service.

But when compared to data from five years ago, Maria told us the number of food parcels being handed out now is an eye-watering 96% higher.

While the numbers have dropped a little compared to last year, the foodbank is still helping feed 700 people each month.

And she's having to work even harder to keep feeding them.

"I've spent already this year an astronomical £12,000 on food on five or six core food products to make sure we will not go out of stock of those items in the next month," Maria said.

This is becoming an increasing issue, because those who were donating are now unable to as they're struggling to spare the cash to do so.

Maria said: "All of our donations through supermarkets are down in every single supermarket donation point. So we have to work a little bit harder to make sure the people that we're supporting don't go hungry."