Insight from food banks on the frontline of this crisis predicts that this winter will be much worse than the height of the pandemic. On top of two exhausting years navigating and supporting their communities, food banks are now hit with the devastating pressures of increased need, higher costs and stock issues, making their work more challenging than ever before.

For the first time ever, our food bank network gave out more food than was donated last year. And this year, they are having to top up their donations by buying food on a scale weve never seen before. This is alongside increased utility bills and reduced capacity to provide additional practical support to help people through this crisis and to a place where they can afford the essentials.

Many food banks are telling us they are worried about covering costs to stay open.

Theyre exhausted; theyre running out of options; and, unless something drastically changes, they will not be able to support everyone.