News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Foodbank-Main_article_image.jpg
Foodbank - copyright Jeff Blackler/REX
UK News

Christian Foodbank says use tops one million

by Antony Bushfield

The numbers for 2014-15 show that 1,084,604 received at least three days' emergency food from the charity's foodbanks, more than in any previous year.

The charity said despite signs of economic recovery, the numbers of people turning to foodbanks continued to grow.

It added that 400,000 children were fed from foodbanks in the last 12 months.

The figures represent an increase of 19%, the charity said.

Problems with benefits remains the largest reason for foodbank use but there has been an increase in numbers referred due to low income in the last year.

Foodbank managers reported that clients who are in work are struggling with insecure hours, low wages and high living costs.

Referrals to foodbanks due to sickness, homelessness, delayed wages and unemployment have increased slightly.

The Christian charity quoted qualified teacher and mother of two, Susan, who had used a foodbank: "I have an 18-month-old son and an eight-year-old stepson, I work part time as a teacher and my husband has an insecure agency contract," she said.

"There are times when he doesn't get enough hours of work, and we really struggle to afford food and pay the bills. The foodbank meant we could put food on the table".

In the last year, total numbers of foodbanks launched rose by five percent, whilst numbers of people helped by foodbanks rose by 19 percent.

Trussell Trust UK foodbank director Adrian Curtis said: "Despite welcome signs of economic recovery, hunger continues to affect significant numbers of men, women and children in the UK today.

"It's difficult to be sure of the full extent of the problem as Trussell Trust figures don't include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help.

"Trussell Trust foodbanks are increasingly hosting additional services like debt counselling and welfare advice at our foodbanks, which is helping more people out of crisis.

"The Trussell Trust's latest figures highlight how vital it is that we all work to prevent and relieve hunger in the UK.

"It's crucial that we listen to the experiences of people using foodbanks to truly understand the nature of the problems they face; what people who have gone hungry have to say holds the key to finding the solution."

Ian Childs is a Christian who runs Medway Foodbank in Kent. Listen to him speaking to Premier's Hannah Tooley on the News Hour here:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate