A huge increase in the number of people receiving emergency food parcels from Lambeth food banks has been reported over the past year

The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks reported that 27,000 people received their emergency food parcels in the last 12 months as people struggle to get by on low incomes.

They told Brixton Buzz:

New figures released today by The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks have revealed that 27,109 emergency food parcels were provided to people experiencing hardship in the Lambeth and Croydon area in the past year, with 9,632 going to children.

The Lambeth Partnership of Food Banks has seen a 9.5% increase in the number of emergency food parcels distributed compared to last year as more people struggle to afford essential items such as food.

Elizabeth Mayton, MBE Project Leader at The Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, part of the Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks, said:

We are upset but not surprised to see yet another increase in the number of people using our food bank. 50% of people who received parcels were single, highlighting the growing number of people living alone who simply cannot cope.

Another worrying trend was the 40% increase in over 65s using our Food Bank. We are really concerned about the elderly population in our neighborhoods who are vulnerable and obviously struggling.

Over 27,000 people have needed our help in the past year and we are not sure if we can keep up with this growing demand.

We are delighted to have been able to provide a lifeline to so many people and are extremely grateful for the donations from the local community. We ask for their continued support in this difficult climate.

Emily is on a zero-hours contract, which means the work isn’t always regular. As a former sales manager, she does not feel comfortable using the Food Bank:

I have used Foodbank once or twice recently and it has been very helpful.

Not just for the food to feed my daughter, but for the extra support and advice.

I am now getting help with my debt and have been to a job club and feel like I am in a much better place. I’m still struggling though because everything costs too much.”

As well as providing emergency food, The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks offers people who are referred a warm welcome, as well as connections to advice and support that make it less likely that someone will need the food bank again in the future.

Partnerships with Brixton Advice Centre, Center 70, Age UK and Christians Against Poverty, among other organisations, mean immediate support is available to anyone who needs it at one of seven hubs located in Lambeth and Croydon.

The support of the south London community is vital to ensure The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks can be there for anyone who calls on them for help, but rising levels of need have had a significant impact on stock levels.

A typical emergency food parcel consists of items such as cereals, tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned meat and fish, tea, coffee, biscuits, UHT milk and pasta and rice and much more, but The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks must buy more and more stocks as donations no longer meet local needs.

Any donation is gratefully received and can be left at food bank and supermarket collection points.

The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks is part of the Trussell Trust network, which is reporting record levels of need over the past 12 months, with more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels provided to people in difficulty between April 2023 and March 2024. More 1.1 million of these were provided with child parcels.

The Trussell Trust calls for urgent reform of the social security system because it is currently failing in its most basic duty – to protect people from missing out on the essentials we all need in life.

Along with many other organisations, the anti-poverty charity is urging the UK Government to introduce an ‘Essentials Guarantee’ into Universal Credit to ensure everyone has a minimum amount of support protected to afford the essentials.

Speaking about the growing need for emergency food, Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said:

“It’s 2024 and we’re facing historically high levels of need for food banks. As a society, we cannot allow this to continue.

We must not let food banks become the new norm. As we approach the next UK General Election, we urgently need all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive.

Voters want to see change and we need cross-government action at all levels to make it happen. We know what drives people to food banks, so we know what needs to change.

“A supportive social security system is the foundation on which we end hunger for good, and we also need to ensure that everyone can get the right support at the right time.

People should be supported in a way that reflects the reality of their lives, especially if they face higher costs and barriers affecting certain groups such as parents, carers, disabled people.

Everyone should have the security we need to access opportunities and hope for the future.

“Food banks are not the answer. They will be there to support people as long as they are needed, but by taking bold action, our political leaders can build a future where everyone has enough money to afford the essentials of life. The time to act is now.”

background

• The Trussell Trust has set out the crucial actions the next UK government needs to take to support people and ensure everyone has enough money to afford the essentials: trusselltrust.org/manifesto.
• For more information visit norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk
• The Lambeth Partnership of Food Banks is part of the Trussell Trust network.
• For UK Trussell Trust Food Bank statistics visit: www.trusselltrust.org/