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5976 emergency food supplies in six months!

6th November 2018

Concerns for this winter as foodbank reveals 5976 emergency food supplies went to local people in six months.

Cardiff Foodbank provided 5976 three-day emergency food supplies to local people between 1st April and 30th September this year. Of this number, 2247 went to children.

The foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust’s network, which has today reported a UK-wide increase in foodbank use, is concerned its help will be even more needed in the next six months of the year, as the colder weather draws in.

The figures for Cardiff Foodbank, are an 11% increase on the same period last year. The charity believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments, issues with Universal Credit, and insecure or low paid work.

Cardiff Foodbank shares the concerns of other foodbanks in The Trussell Trust’s network about the Government’s new benefits system, Universal Credit. The foodbank has needed to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting weeks for a first Universal Credit payment.

Helen Bull Development Manager of Cardiff Foodbank said:

“It’s a real concern that in only six months we’ve provided 5976 emergency supplies to local people. These figures don’t even cover our busiest time of year – as the colder weather draws in, we often find more people needing our help.

“It’s not right that anyone in Cardiff is being forced to turn to our foodbank. Our volunteers offer vital support when it matters most, but they should not need to. We want to see an end to local people needing emergency food – with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials. We could reach that future. We’re determined to make sure that until that time comes, emergency help is here for people, but there needs to be some long-term change because we don’t want to be here forever.”  

Cardiff foodbank is extremely grateful for all the food that has been donated by the general public in this period – 45 tonnes worth. They are however particularly in need of coffee, UHT milk, long life fruit juice and sponge puddings. The charity has asked for festive donations (but no mince-pies please) to be donated in early December at the latest, to ensure volunteers have enough time to process and distribute these donations to people before Christmas.  

The running costs for the foodbank are around £100,000 a year, all of which is raised locally to enable them to continue their work. Costs include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food, two vans to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances, along with three part-time salaries. Over 200 committed volunteers help on a weekly basis and they couldn’t operate without them.

The foodbank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the foodbank’s work can find out more at https://cardiff.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate/

Contact:

Helen Bull [Cardiff Foodbank Development Manager] can be reached on: [email protected] or  Tel: 029 20 484 120

Notes:

Cardiff Foodbank:

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