The cost of living crisis is driving a tsunami of need to food banks.
Insight from food banks on the frontline of this crisis predicts that this winter will be much worse than the Covid-19 pandemic. On top of two exhausting years navigating and supporting their communities though the pandemic, food banks are now hit with the devastating twin pressures of increased need and costs alongside stock issues, making their work more challenging than ever before.
Alongside more and more people needing support, food banks themselves are struggling with food donations. For the first time ever, our food bank network gave out more food than was donated last year. And this year, food banks are having to top up their donations by buying food on a scale we’ve never seen before. T
Many food banks are telling us they are worried about covering costs to stay open including paying their utility bills, petrol, staffing and advisors- as well as thinking about needing to start covering expenses of volunteers.
Food banks are already having to give out food that doesn’t need refrigerating or cooking. They are also finding people ask for hot water bottles, blankets, coats, and children’s clothes.
Food banks are telling us this isn’t sustainable, more support is needed. They’re exhausted; they’re running out of options; and, unless something drastically changes, they will not be able to support everyone in their communities through this crisis.