Food bank charity launches first-ever emergency appeal after reserve stock used up
The Salisbury charity predicts worst winter yet
Last updated 20th Oct 2022
The Trussell Trust has revealed the need for food banks has outstripped donations for the first time, as the Salisbury charity prepares for it's toughest winter yet.
It's experienced a dramatic increase in people needing support from its network of 1,300 food bank centres across the UK.
46% more emergency food parcels were distributed in August and September than the same time last year.
Reserve stock that would normally help them get through winter has already been used up.
As more people find themselves unable to afford the essentials, food banks are struggling to meet the increased need and are having to purchase three times as much food as they did last year. This financial year, food banks have bought approximately 1,400 tonnes of food – the equivalent of 111 double decker buses.
So far this year food banks have spent on average almost £1,400 a month of their own funds topping up supplies compared to £750 a month on average last year.
With the charity preparing to provide a predicted 1.3 million emergency food parcels in the next six months, including half a million for children it's first ever large-scale emergency appeal.
Speaking about the situation, Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said:
“Faced with the perfect storm of rising energy prices, inflation and a potential recession that is pushing people deeper into poverty, the soaring cost of living is driving a tsunami of need to food banks.
“Through this emergency appeal we hope to raise the vital funds required to ensure that food banks can meet this devastating rise in need and continue to support people who are experiencing hardship. We never wanted to run an appeal like this, we would rather there was no need for food banks at all. But right now they are on the frontline of this cost of living emergency, we have no other option.
“As well as raising vital funds, we hope our emergency appeal is a stark reminder of how reliant we have become as a society on the kindness of volunteers. No one should need to turn to charity for something as essential as food and the situation we are facing is too great for food banks to solve alone. We know it doesn’t have to be this way, the UK Government has shown that the right support, at the right time, can help people out of hardship. That’s why we’re calling on them, now more than ever, to do what’s right and provide a package of support directly targeted at people on the lowest income so that everyone can afford life’s essentials and no one needs a food bank to get by.”
Every penny raised by the Trussell Trusts emergency appeal will go towards helping food banks keep going this winter, by funding:
• Grants to food banks to respond to the crisis this winter by helping to cover their increased running costs for food, facilities and frontline staff, as well as winter-specific support for people facing hardship like hot water bottles, blankets and food packs that don’t need cooking.
• Direct advice on finances to help tens of thousands of tens of thousands of tens of thousands of tens of thousands of people maximise their income via the charity’s Help through Hardship helpline, that’s run in partnership with Citizens Advice, and through one-to-one support sessions at food banks to help people through this crisis and beyond.
• Additional support to food banks to help navigate the crisis including access to regional and national expertise to ensure they can continue to serve their community through this ever-changing external environment.
Speaking about the difference the appeal will make, Jamie Ginns from Greenwich Foodbank, said:
“This year has been our busiest yet and, as a result, we are leaning into Trussell Trust more heavily than ever before. We welcome this emergency appeal and we are already set to receive one of the initial grants this week and we’ll use it to buy blankets which will be a much-needed addition to our parcels. The support, expertise, grants and clarity of vision provided by the Trussell Trust are invaluable to local food banks as we face down this cost of living crisis together and fight for a day when we see an end to the need for food banks.”
The Trussell Trust has already gratefully received generous pledges from donors including British philanthropist couple Julia and Hans Rausing while corporate partners, including OVO Energy, Tesco and Morrisons, have also increased their support
How to help
• Make a financial donation, to the Trussell Trust, in support of the Emergency Appeal Fund. or call 01722 580 178 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
• Donate food and toiletries to your local food bank.
Visit trusselltrust.org to find you nearest food bank, view the list of items that they need most and locate your nearest collection point.