Between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2018, 1466 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people in crisis by Braintree Area Foodbank, compared to 1150 in the previous year. Of this number, 1283 went to children.
The foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust’s network which has today reported a UK-wide increase foodbank use, believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments and issues with Universal Credit in our area which was rolled out in October 2017
Braintree Area Foodbank shares the concerns of other foodbanks in full Universal Credit rollout areas, highlighted today by The Trussell Trust in a new report about the difficulties some people are experiencing. The foodbank has provided emergency food and support to people needing help
As part of a national network campaigning for change, the foodbank is working hard to offer practical emergency support to help prevent people affected going hungry, whilst simultaneously participating in vital research and raising awareness about the issues local people are facing.
Vanessa Green PR Manager of Braintree Area Foodbank said:
“We don’t want to be here forever. No one in the Braintree District area should need a foodbank’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 – with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials, this is possible. But until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most – we’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support, and that 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 £40,000 a year, all of which is raised locally to enabling us to continue our work. Costs include warehouse space, a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances. We welcome any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the foodbank’s work can find out more at www.braintreearea.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/
For further information
The Public relations department can be contacted via email [email protected] or by calling 01376 330694