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Over 2000 Food Parcels In One Year

22nd April 2021

2181 food bank parcels provided to people in crisis in Swale during the last year

 

New figures released by Swale Foodbank today reveal 2181 emergency food parcels were provided to people in the last year – this includes a 99% increase in the amount of families supported during the last financial year and works out at 53,451 meals given out in one year!

 

Between April 2020 and March 2021, Swale Foodbank has seen unprecedented numbers of people in need of support as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic hit people’s incomes and livelihoods.

 

The foodbank believes the increase in local people needing its support is due to many in the local area being furloughed and increased redundancies, high rents – especially in the private rental market and hours being cut during the various lockdowns.

 

Esther Hurwood, Project Manager of Swale Foodbank said: 

 

“It simply isn’t right that more and more people in Swale are struggling to put food on the table and have been forced to contact us for support. The pandemic has impacted huge numbers of people and we know our figures are just the tip of the iceberg as new community organisations, independent food banks and local authorities, have sprung up during the pandemic to support our community as well as many of the local schools who have done an incredible job supporting the many in need in our communities .

 

“We’re always blown away by the amount of support and generosity local people show in supporting our work – and during this difficult year, our vital work has only been possible because of that incredible support. Thank you so much! While our help continues to be needed, we’re dedicated to ensuring that people without enough money for food are able to access emergency support.

 

“But ultimately, we don’t think it’s right that any of us are forced to turn to any charity for emergency food. That’s why we’re calling on our candidates standing in local elections in Swale to commit to ending the need for our services in our community. Together we can build a Hunger Free Future.”

 

The foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s network, which reports record levels of need in the last year, with more than 2.5 million emergency food parcels given to people struggling to afford essentials between April 2020 and March 2021; more than 980,000 of these parcels went to children.

 

Swale Foodbank is now calling on political candidates of all parties in Swale standing in the upcoming May elections to commit to ending the need for food banks in their community once and for all.

 

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said:

“No one should face the indignity of needing emergency food. Yet our network of food banks has given out record numbers of food parcels as more and more people struggle without enough money for the essentials. This is not right but we know we can build a better future. This pandemic has shown the unexpected can hit suddenly, but we know when we push for change, united by our desire for justice and compassion, the government has to listen and act.

“We are asking you, the public, to write to your local election candidates for a commitment to working to end the need for food banks. Together we can take action now to build a hunger free future.”

 

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