Last updated on March 11th, 2025 at 02:15 pm
The foodbank that we’re writing about have given us permission to share their story, which we’re very grateful for, but have asked us not to identify them. Therefore, we’ll refer to the person we spoke to as ‘T’.
“Wide range of issues”
T works with a foodbank who provide three days’ emergency food and other essentials to those who are referred to them in crisis. T says “our volunteers signpost people to agencies who can help provide support with a wide range of issues, including housing, debt management, childcare and mental wellbeing. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.”
In 2023-24, T reports that they provided over 9,000 food parcels to those who couldn’t afford the essentials in their area, and over 5,000 of these went to children. “As of October 2024, we’ve seen a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and there has been a 12% increase in our scheme to support low-income families who qualify for free school meals, during school holidays.”
“Basic requirements for hygienic living”
Part of the emergency parcels that T and the team distribute to clients consist of hygiene and laundry essentials, and T says “we are often thanked specifically for these – especially nappies, period products, deodorant and laundry powder, as they are expensive but basic requirements for hygienic living.”
One recipient of a parcel was kind enough to share her thoughts with us: “I am so grateful to have hygiene products available from the foodbank. There have been many times when as a mother I have needed to draw on different resources to save money in order to budget for food! We have 5 girls in our home so receiving pads and tampons for free is a massive saving. It also allows you as a woman to value yourself and look after yourself with your most basic needs. My daughters have learnt to be responsible with their hygiene and cycle”.
