4759 emergency food supplies given to local people in last year, Taunton Foodbank reveals.
Taunton Foodbank provided three day emergency food supplies to 4759 local people between April 2018 and March 2019. Of this number, 1784 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.
Taunton Foodbank is backing calls from the Trussell Trust to ensure the benefits system is able to protect people from poverty.
The figures from Taunton Foodbank show a small decrease of 2.9% on the same period last year. Analysis of the figures shows most of the decrease can be accounted for by a reduction in the numbers of families receiving help “school holiday boxes”. This may be because of an increase in School Holiday clubs which also provide food and a raised awareness of the financial problems some families face when the children are not getting a meal at school. We will discuss this with our partner agencies to ensure that vouchers for the Foodbank are available for those who need extra help particularly in the long summer holidays.
Taunton Foodbank shares the concerns of other food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network about Universal Credit which continues to cause difficulties for local people. 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, and those who are receiving payments that don’t cover the cost of essentials. We are particularly concerned about the amount of money that can be deducted from Universal Credit payments to pay back loans and advances which results in people running out of money for food a week or so before their next payment is due.
Sue Weightman, manager of Taunton Foodbank said:
“No one in this part of Somerset 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 and deductions to payments are 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 foodbank are around £25,000 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, a part-time paid manager and administrator and other overheads like utilities and insurances. 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://taunton.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/