Boscombe food bank in Havilland road has seen a record usage of its service since it started and the Government is being blamed for the higher levels.
Since the Corona Virus lockdown started numbers of people using the charity have risen from 541 to 1093 in just one month. What’s more the figures include over 300 children going without food.
The Food bank, local Councillors and the Trussell Trust,Britain’s largest food charity, have all criticised the Government’s handling of payments to the recent unemployedand homeless.
Lewis Alison, Labour councillor for Boscombe West said: “In terms of those people who have been made redundant or unemployed through this crisis. I don’t think there has been enough support.”
A spokes person for the Trussell Trust which gives funding to the food bank said that a low working income or low benefits were the main reason for the situation.
They gave a stark warning to the Government: “We cannot continue to pick up the pieces.”
Although there has been praise for the local BCP council people are still going without and it looks like it could get worse.
John Saborido manager of Boscombe food bank warned of empty shelves and stocks running low and said they are just barley coping with demand.
He said: “We are really struggling. We have to expand are hours.” And due to social distancing they have had to limit their numbers of volunteers.
Considering the current crisis he sees no end to the need for food banks in the foreseeable future.
Emma Revie of the Trussell Trust went as far as to say: “Like a tidal wave gathering pace an economic crisis is sweeping towards us.”
Because of the food shortages the Trussell trust has formed a coalition with other charities to get the message across to the Government that they are not doing enough.
Helen Barnard, acting director of the Joseph Roundtree foundation said: “it’s simply not right that so many people are having to turn to food banks.”
The coalition are calling for what they call a’ Temporary Corona Virus Emergency Income Support scheme.’
They are urging the Government to make the changes needed to make sure everyone has enough money for essentials.
Sabrina Goodwin co-ordinator if the ‘Independent Food Aid Net work’ said: “The solution is not in trying to distribute more food parcels but in providing sufficient income to huge numbers of people.”
One of the measures called for is an increase in benefits for families with children.
Because of the lockdown new emergency measures have had to be implemented. The food bank has set up an army of delivery drivers to get to people in isolation. Or for those struggling to get access they can call the food bank and social worker will be called.
The council are also having to do their bit due to the crisis. There is now an emergency number to call for those in need. Lewis Alison said: “All we can do is to make sure that anybody who needs access to food banks gets it.”
He gave high praise for the council but was still sceptical about the Governments response: “With food we are doing a really good Job (but) I think the Government needs to do things a bit quicker.”
He went on to say that, ‘the Government should be giving more funds to individuals rather than businesses.’
Jane Kelly Conservative councillor for Boscombe West agreed that there are still people who need help but of the council she said: “We have a great team of people.”
However she did not blame the Government but instead claimed that some people needing help might not be forthcoming and taking the help.”
The Trussell Trust are calling for the Government to work with charities in the Anti poverty sector. A spokesperson said: “Treat everyone with dignity and leave no one behind.”
Tobias Ellwood MP for Bournemouth East would not comment.
Gerald Gilbert
