More retirees using local food banks

People experiencing hardship in the Lambeth and Croydon area received 27,109 emergency food parcels in the past year, of which 9,632 went to children, figures released today (May 15) by The Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks revealed.

The partnership, which has warned that donations from the public are no longer meeting the demand for help, saw a 9.5% increase in the number of emergency food parcels distributed compared to last year.

There has been a 40% increase in the number of pensioners receiving parcels compared to 2022/23.

“We are upset but not surprised to see yet another increase in the number of people using our foodbank,” said Elizabeth Mayton MBE, project lead at The Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, part of the Lambeth Partnership of Foodbanks.

“Half of the people who received a parcel were single, which highlights the growing number of people living alone who can’t cope.

“Another worrying trend has been 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 last 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.”

Former sales manager Emily is on a zero-hours contract, which means work isn’t always regular. She does not feel comfortable using the food bank.

“I’ve used the food bank once or twice recently and it’s been really helpful,” she says. “Not just for the food to feed my daughter, but for the extra support and advice.

“Now I’m getting help with my debt and I’ve been to a job club and I feel like I’m 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 provides people who are referred with a warm welcome and connections with 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 Lambeth Partnership said community support in south London is vital to ensure food banks can be there for anyone who comes to them for help, but that rising levels of need have had a significant impact on stock levels.

A typical emergency food pack consists of items such as cereals, tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned meat and fish, tea, coffee, biscuits, UHT milk and pasta and rice and more.

However, the partnership has to buy more and more shares as donations no longer meet local needs. Any donation is gratefully received and can be left at food bank and supermarket collection points.

The partnership is part of the Trussell Trust network, which today reports record levels of need over the past 12 months, with more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels delivered to people experiencing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024. More than 1.1 millions of these packages were provided for children.