{"id":738,"date":"2021-04-27T11:40:22","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T11:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jointpublicissues.org.uk\/?p=9986"},"modified":"2021-04-27T11:40:22","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T11:40:22","slug":"trussell-trust-figures-reveal-a-record-number-turning-to-foodbanks-during-the-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standrewsurcrustington.org.uk\/?p=738","title":{"rendered":"Trussell Trust figures reveal a record number turning to foodbanks during the pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A report published last week by the Trussell Trust reveals a record 2.5 million food parcels were distributed by their network of food banks in the past year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The figure represents a 33% increase on the previous year,
\nincluding a disproportionately large increase in the number of parcels
\ndistributed to children. Compared to this time five years ago, Trussell\u2019s food
\nbanks have experienced a 128% increase in need. These figures equate to 3
\nparcels a minute being distributed across the country to adults, and nearly 2
\nevery minute distributed to children.<\/p>\n

These figures only account for the network of food banks run
\nby the Trust \u2013 so the actual figure relying on food bank parcels is likely far
\nhigher even than these figures suggest.<\/p>\n

Given the past year, it\u2019s not unexpected that these figures
\nto show an increase. But even after a year of witnessing increasing financial
\nhardship caused by the pandemic, these statistics make for distressing reading.
\nEven as the economy and society begin to reopen after the third lockdown, many
\nfamilies have had their financial resilience shattered by the pandemic, causing
\nincreased food bank use and driving many into unavoidable debt, just to keep
\nafloat.  As the findings state, \u2018Hunger
\nin the UK isn\u2019t about food. It\u2019s about a lack of income.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Trussell Trust note in their report that the ongoing
\ncrisis has forced many to take on additional or new debt, meaning that the
\npandemic will have a long-lasting effect on people\u2019s ability to afford
\nessentials. That means that even as the economy begins to recover, some families
\nwill still be trapped in a cycle of debt and financial insecurity, which may
\nkeep food poverty levels in the UK at a higher rate.<\/p>\n

The Trussell Trust indicate that there are three main
\ndriving factors of increased food bank use: <\/p>\n