Winter approaches for Grimsby foodbank
Rock Foundation foodbank in Grimsby said they have to start preparing for the challenges of winter from as early as August.
Last updated 4th Sep 2023
It may only be September, but for many foodbanks, preparations are already well underway as they look ahead to the challenges of winter.
Rock Foundation foodbank in Grimsby actually reported a slight decrease in demand over the school summer holidays, which is often a time when families need their support most.
However, demand was already at unusually high levels before the holidays, meaning that the foodbank's usual surplus simply does not exist. Pamela Hodge founded Rock Foundation and said things are now set to get even tougher.
She said: "Come the Autumn time, that's when we'll start to struggle with fruit and veg. It's a worrying time going forward and heading into winter - especially when you haven't got the excess stock behind you.
"We are very concerned especially now that people will be having to switch on their electricity and gas - that is going to be a big worry both to us and other people."
The ongoing shortage of food is thought to be due to the cost of living crisis meaning that people simply don't have the same disposable income they did last year to spend on food to go to foodbanks, making this year incredibly difficult.
Pamela said: "You go down into Garibaldi street and you see them queueing down the street and I think they've got to be desperate. It's demoralising, it's not good and it's sad that as a country we've come to that stage where people have got to queue for foodbanks."
Despite those challenges, she said the one thing they are able to rely on is the work of their volunteers who work to collect food and get it to those in need.
She said: "They are the unsung heroes - without them we wouldn't be able to do anything we do, we have volunteers who are there from half past seven in the morning. I take my hat off to them."