4,536 emergency food parcels given to local people in last year, North Bristol Foodbank reveals

North Bristol Foodbank provided 4536 three day emergency food parcels to local people between April 2018 to March 2019. Of this number, 1809 went to children.

The local food bank’s figures feed into a larger national picture with a record increase in food bank use across the UK reported today by the Trussell Trust.

North Bristol Foodbank is backing calls from the Trussell Trust to ensure the benefits system is able to protect people from poverty.

The figures from North Bristol Foodbank are a 9% increase on the same period last year. But perhaps most interesting is that figures show from the period January to April 2019 compared to January to April 2018 show a 30% increase. The charity believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with Universal Credit such as the five-week wait.

North Bristol Foodbank shares the concerns of other food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network about Universal Credit – it is not the only benefit payment people referred to the food bank have experienced problems with, but the issues faced by local people moving onto the new system are significant. The food bank has needed to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting at least five-weeks for a first Universal Credit payment, people who are unable to access support and people who receive payments that don’t cover the cost of essentials.

Matt Dobson, food bank manager of North Bristol Foodbank said:

“No one in North Bristol should need a food bank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all. It doesn’t have to be this way -our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty. Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.

“Until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most. We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.”

The running costs for the food bank are raised locally to enable them to continue their work. Costs include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food, a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances. The food bank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the food bank’s work can find out more at https://northbristol.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/