Rise in users of North Hull foodbank "unsustainable"
Unity in Community say they've even had to turn some people away
Last updated 3rd Oct 2022
A food bank in north Hull has said an unsustainable rise in people coming for help has meant some have been turned away.
Liam Woods, of Unity in Community food bank, said they were now handing out 45 to 65 parcels a week, compared to 30 to 40 before coronavirus.
He added two family parcels could not be given out last week and predicted up to 70 people could be coming for help by Christmas.
The project manager’s warning comes as inflation remains at 9.9 per cent in the UK following months or increases to the highest rates seen in decades.
It also comes ahead of further increases in energy bills in winter despite Government pledges that no households will pay more than ÂŁ2,500 a year under its Price Guarantee.
Unity in Community issued an urgent appeal for donations this week, particularly for tinned food, tea, coffee, long-life juices and milk, rice and pasta.
In particular, the food bank say they're in need of
- Jars of jam, peanut butter and sauces
- Tins of soup, fruit or vegetables
- Tinned meat and fish
- Baked beans and pulses
- Bags of rice and pasta
- Cereals
- Condiments and spices
- Stock and gravy
- Long-life juices and milk
- Teas and coffee
Mr Woods said more support would be needed to keep up with demand in the coming months.
He said: “As the cost of living crisis moves into winter we project up to 70 people could be accessing the Food Bank come Christmas, this is not sustainable.
“If anyone is able to help, they can do so by donating dry and non-perishable items, doing a sponsored event, organising food donation points at their workplace, or volunteering to assist at our food bank".