• Over 5,302 three day emergency food supplies have been given to local people in crisis by Stoke-on-Trent foodbank in the first half of the year – 2,021 of these went to children
• Latest statistics published by The Trussell Trust foodbank network as a whole show UK-wide foodbank figures are still not decreasing
• The Trussell Trust Charity calls for foodbank telephone ‘hotline’ to local Job Centres to support people in crisis more quickly and efficiently, reducing negative impact on mental wellbeing
Over 5,302 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people by Stoke-on-Trent foodbank during April – September 2016, compared to 4,789 during the same period in 2015, an increase of 10%. Of this number, 2,021 went to children.
The top three reasons for referral to Stoke-on-Trent foodbank were: benefit delay 27%; benefit change 22%; low income 24%.
Anna Willcocks, Project Manager of Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank said:
“Anybody could find themselves in need of the foodbank. Every week we meet local people like you or me, who have been hit by something unavoidable – such as illness, a delay in welfare payments or an unexpected bill – and are unable to afford food. It is only with the community’s support that we’re able to provide vital emergency help when it matters most, and we’re constantly surprised and overwhelmed by local people’s generosity.
We’re keen to work with individuals, businesses and organisations across the community to help put a stop to local people going hungry. Thank you so much to everyone who already donates time, food and money to help local people. If you’re not already involved, we’d love to hear from you! Find out how on our website.” https://stokeontrent.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
The running costs for Stoke-on-Trent foodbank are around £120,000 a year, all of which is raised locally to enable the work to continue. Costs include warehouse space to sort and stock donated food, a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, overheads like utilities and insurances, as well as staff to co-ordinate the activity. 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 http://stokeontrent.foodbank.org.uk/donate
Guy’s story
We met Guy who was suffering from anxiety and depression and hasn’t been able to work since having a motorbike accident over 20 years ago. Before that he was in a skilled trade. He had been sleeping rough but has now been rehoused by Restart. When asked how foodbank had helped he said “They’ve helped me a lot – if it wasn’t for places like this I’d have to shoplift. I’ve had no benefits for weeks so I’d have put myself in jail on purpose. I have done that in the past, nothing serious, minor stuff, just enough to get me in jail. At least there I’d have a bed and food”.
Jan and Ian’s story
A couple came in to foodbank because most of their benefits have been stopped after they started living together. They have responsibility for 3 children and Jan has not received any maintenance. It has taken over 4 months so far whilst their benefits are being sorted out and although they have largely scraped by; they have got in to debt on their utility bills and are being threatened with court action. They were given advice about their bills by the Money Matters service at foodbank, which helped them to feel more hopeful.
Sam’s story
Sam had received no money for 11 weeks after a mistake had been made with her benefits. She’s fighting to get the situation sorted out, but in the meantime has four children to feed. The volunteers were glad to give the children chocolate bars in the food parcel as a treat. Sam was able to bring the children to the holiday club the following day too and share in a roast dinner together, and take part in some fun activities.
Stoke-on-Trent foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust foodbank network. The Trussell Trust has today proposed a direct telephone line between foodbanks and local job centres – as it reveals that more than half a million emergency food parcels have been issued across the UK in the first six months of the year. The staggering number means that the foodbank network is on course to distribute the highest number of food parcels in its 12-year history during 2016-17.
The proposed hotline would provide vital timely and invaluable trouble-shooting support for people referred to foodbanks because of problems with a welfare claim and may prevent them from needing the foodbank again. A hotline would be a low cost solution that allows foodbank managers and volunteers to support those in serious crises more quickly and efficiently, reducing stress and negative impact on the mental wellbeing of people referred to the foodbank. Evidence from The Trussell Trust network of foodbanks suggests foodbank managers, volunteers and welfare advisers spend a significant amount of time on hold to DWP phone lines on behalf of people in crisis.
David McAuley, Chief Executive of The Trussell Trust said:
“To stop UK hunger we must make sure the welfare system works fairly and compassionately, stopping people getting to a point where they have no money to eat. It feels like we could be seeing a new era at the DWP with a consultation on Work Capability Assessments and willingness to engage in dialogue with charities working on the front line. A telephone hotline could build on this and go a long way to improving foodbanks’ ability to help get people out of a crisis faster.”
Names changed for anonymity