2,817 children relying on Antrim Foodbank

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New figures released today by Antrim Foodbank have revealed that 5,967 emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship across Antrim in the last year – with 2,817 of these going to children.

Antrim Foodbank has seen an 8% increase in the number of emergency food parcels distributed compared to last year, as more and more people struggle to afford essentials such as food.

The levels of need were particularly acute in January, which was the busiest month for Antrim Foodbank, with 716 emergency food parcels provided by staff and volunteers.

Fionnuala O’Donnell, Manager at Antrim Foodbank said:

The past twelve months has continued to be challenging for those in our community needing to come to our foodbank for emergency food. 78% of those attending are on benefits which highlights that the welfare system does not provide enough income for people to afford the essentials.  We have seen an increase of 26% of those suffering with the ongoing impact of existing mental or physical health conditions.

Alongside the provision of emergency food, Antrim Foodbank offers people who are referred to them a warm welcome, as well as the opportunity for advice from one of the Community Advice advisers on site.  They are available at all of our 5 centres each week. They are on hand to help with anything financial.  This service aims to make it less likely someone will need the food bank again in the future.

The support of the Antrim community is vital in ensuring that Antrim food bank can be there for anyone who turns to them for help, but the rising levels of need have had a significant impact on stock levels.

A typical emergency food parcel consists of items such as cereal, tinned fruit and vegetables, canned meat and fish, tea, coffee, biscuits, UHT milk, and pasta and rice and much more, but Antrim Foodbank is having to purchase more and more stock as donations are no longer meeting local need. Any donation is gratefully received and can be dropped off at the food bank and supermarket collection points.

Antrim Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s network, which reports record levels of need in the last 12 months with more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels provided to people facing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024. More than 1.1 million of these parcels were provided for children.

The Trussell Trust is calling for urgent reform of the social security system as it is currently failing in its most basic duty – to protect people from going without essentials we all need in life. Alongside 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 protected minimum amount of support to afford the essentials.

Speaking about the rising need for emergency food, Emma Revie, Chief Executive at the Trussell Trust, said:

It’s 2024 and we’re facing historically high levels of food bank need. 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 a change and we need cross-government action at all levels to deliver it. We know what’s pushing people to food banks, so we know what needs to change. A supportive social security system is the bedrock on which we end hunger for good, and we also need to ensure 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’re facing the higher costs and barriers that impact certain groups such as parents, carers, disabled people. Everyone should have the security we all need to access opportunities and have 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 life’s essentials. The time to act is now.

The Trussell Trust has set out the crucial actions the next UK Government must take to support people and ensure everyone has enough money to afford life’s essentials: trusselltrust.org/manifesto

ENDS

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