According to a report published today by The Trussell Trust one in 120 children received at least three days of emergency food aid by food banks in the South West between April and September 2012. This reveals an extremely worrying picture of vulnerability and need. The report also goes on to reveal that nationally 109,294 adults and children in the UK received emergency food aid with the figure expected to rise to over 200,000 by April 2013.
‘The total number of referrals for the entire financial year 2011/12 was 128,000, meaning the projected 2012/13 total would mark a startling increase.’ Just 6 months of 2012 represents approximately 85% of the whole number for 2011.
‘The trust’s own indicators show that the largest block of people were being left unable to feed themselves because of delays or a change in circumstances to their benefit claims.’
Across the UK as a whole, 0.17% of the population received emergency food in this way over the six month period, but referral rates for its constituent regions – and for children – were often considerably higher.
13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK.
Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK.
In 2011-12 foodbanks fed 128,687 people nationwide, 100% more than the previous year. Rising costs of food and fuel combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to come to foodbanks for help.
The Trussell Trust partners with churches and communities to open new foodbanks nationwide. With over 250 foodbanks currently launched, our goal is for every town to have one.
Have you been affected? Let us know.
