Surrey foodbank battles increasing demand and decreasing donations
Good Company Epsom gave out more than ten thousand meals last year
A Surrey foodbank is speaking out, saying they're battling increasing demand as well as decreasing donations.
Good Company Epsom run a foodbank, alongside providing a pantry service as well as a refugee support network.
They say they're currently dealing with the lowest stock they've seen in the last few years, with more and more people coming through the door.
The charity report a 93% Increase in foodbank use compared to pre-pandemic levels.
It's also been revealed that 89% of their foodbank clients have regularly skipped meals or gone without eating for a whole day in the past 3 months.
The founder of Good Company Epsom, Jonathan Lees tells us:
"It's been tough, its difficult, our stocks are the lowest point they've been for a long, long time so we are constantly struggling with that.
"But at the same time, the energy bills, heating bills have caused a lot of demand for the service.
"Last year we fed just over 10,000 people, this incorporates 4000 unique people across our community - Epsom, Ewell, Mole Valley and Reigate and Banstead.
"We've seen these numbers continue to rise.
"We've got more and more people that work but have been caught up and just can't get through the month.
"We support them and work with them so they do not need us moving forward."