Emergency food parcel to be distributed every eight seconds this winter as crippling cost of living crisis hits hard

FOOD BANKS

Food banks are bracing for their worst winter yet as the cost of living crisis continues to plunge more families into poverty.

More than 600,000 people are likely to need a food bank between December and February, according to forecasts from the Trussell Trust.

This will mean around one million food parcels need to be distributed – the most parcels ever provided across this period. It is an average of one parcel every eight seconds.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “We don’t want to spend every winter saying things at food banks are getting worse, but they are.

“Food banks are not the answer in the long term, but while we continue to fight for the change that could mean they can be closed for good, your local food bank urgently needs your support.

“They need donations of food for emergency parcels, and money to fund costs such as the purchasing of food to meet the shortfall in donations they are experiencing.”

Natasha Copus, project manager at Southend Food Bank, said: “We have had to buy around half of the food we give out already this year and that is not even with the added pressure of heating and energy that people will face this winter.

“It is with trepidation that we face the next six months of being there for people. We ask our community for their financial support, food and prayer this winter.”

In the last three months, the vast majority of Trussell Trust food banks