Food Banks, what are they and who can benefit from them?
In the current climate, families are finding it more and more difficult to afford all of their outgoings. It is in times like these that voluntary organisations, such as food banks, provide much needed help to those that need it.
The Trussell Trust is a registered charity that relies on donations by members of the public for non-perishable foods such as rice, pasta sauces, tinned meat and fish and biscuits and snacks.
Their website provides a shopping list of foods that they are in need of most, meaning no food gets wasted. The shopping list may also be displayed in your local supermarket, which will help shoppers see what food they can purchase to donate.
Food banks aren’t open for everyone, which means that they can only be used by those that are in the most need of food parcel. People are identified by GPs and by other frontline care professionals, as being vulnerable, and they are issued with a voucher, which they then take to their local food bank centre.
The Trussell Trust states that 13 million people live below the poverty line with people going hungry every day due to low income, redundancy or receiving an unexpected bill. They are then on hand to supply the neediest with three days’ worth of emergency food. In 2011/12 Food Banks fed 128,687 people across the UK, 109% more than the previous 12 months. They currently have more than 200 Food Banks across the UK.
If you are struggling to feed yourself and your family, the Trussell Trust may be able to help you. All you need to do is visit your local GP, see a health visitor or social work or visit your local CAB.
If you would like to donate food to your local Food Bank, visit their website and find out where your local centre is.
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