Southend Foodbank Provides 9,003 Emergency Food Parcels in the Past Six Months to Combat Hunger
In the past six months, Southend Foodbank has distributed 9,003 emergency food parcels to individuals facing hunger in Southend and Rochford. According to new figures released today, 3,508 of these parcels were provided to children. While this reflects a 6% decrease in the number of parcels distributed compared to last year, the food bank highlights that the need for emergency food is still high.
Cass Francis, the Communications and Campaigns Coordinator at Southend Foodbank, explains that while they welcome any reduction in the number of people needing their services, the figures are still 49% higher than the same period in 2022. This indicates that the effects of the record-breaking increase in need over the past few years are still present.
Francis also notes that their distribution centers remain as busy as they were last year, highlighting the need for more efforts to reduce the causes of low incomes in the Southend and Rochford communities.
As winter approaches, Southend Foodbank calls on the public to continue to support their efforts by volunteering, donating, fundraising, or campaigning to end hunger in the UK. The food bank emphasizes that their services go beyond providing emergency food and also include financial inclusion advice and support to help lift people out of financial hardship.
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of Trussell, adds that while food banks offer hope, dignity, and relief to those facing hardship, they shouldn’t have to exist in the first place. Revie highlights that hunger in the UK is not a food problem but an income problem. She explains that people are forced to turn to food banks as a last resort because their incomes from work and social security payments are not enough to cover the cost of essentials like food, bills, and toiletries.
Revie urges everyone to play their part in ending the need for emergency food in the UK. This can be done by volunteering, donating, fundraising, or campaigning to help end hunger in the country.
In conclusion, Southend Foodbank and Trussell emphasize the need for urgent action to address the root causes of poverty and hardship in the UK. They stress that everyone can make a difference and help ensure that food banks like Southend can continue to provide vital support and advice to those in need.