Southend Foodbank has provided 18,854 emergency food parcels to individuals facing hunger in the past 12 months, according to new figures released today. Of these parcels, a staggering 7,000 were provided for children in the Southend City and Rochford area.
The Foodbank has been forced to spend £145,000 on topping up food donations in order to keep up with the high demand. These statistics come as anti-poverty charity Trussell reveals that 2,885,086 food parcels were distributed across the UK in the past year.
Cass Francis, Comms & Campaigns Coordinator at Southend Foodbank, stated, “We are pleased that our initiatives, such as having Citizens Advice Advisors at our distribution sessions, have been able to help our guests receive the support they need. However, these new figures are a reminder of the ongoing financial insecurity in our community that leads people to our doors.”
The number of food parcels distributed by Southend Foodbank has seen a slight decrease of 8% compared to last year. However, this is still an overall increase of 188% from five years ago, highlighting the persistent need for emergency food in the area.
Southend Foodbank is a part of the Trussell community of food banks, which has reported consistently high levels of need in the past 12 months. With over a million of the 2.8 million food parcels distributed going towards children, Southend Foodbank is calling on the UK government to take action to address the root causes of food insecurity.
Emma Revie, chief executive of Trussell, stated, “It is unacceptable that so many children, families, disabled people, and elderly people in Southend have had to rely on emergency food in the past year. This is a wake-up call for the government to address the underlying issues and strengthen the social security system.”
Southend Foodbank is urging the community to come together and support their efforts to end the need for emergency food in the UK. Donations of food or funds can be made at southend.foodbank.org.uk.
