24,210 emergency food parcels given to local people in last year, latest figures from Leeds North and West and Leeds South and East Foodbanks reveal.
The two Trussell Trust Foodbanks provided 24,210 three day emergency food parcels to local people between April 2018 to March 2019. Of this number, 9,546 went to children.
The local food bank’s figures feed into a larger national picture with a record increase in food bank use across the UK reported today by the Trussell Trust.
Leeds North and West Foodbank and Leeds South and East Foodbank are backing calls from the Trussell Trust to ensure the benefits system is able to protect people from poverty.
The figures from the two Leeds-based Foodbanks are a 30% increase on the same period last year. The charities believe the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments; issues with Universal Credit such as the five-week wait; and insecure work.
Our Foodbanks share the concerns of other food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network about Universal Credit – it is not the only benefit payment people referred to the food banks have experienced problems with, but the issues faced by local people moving onto the new system are significant. The food banks have needed to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting at least five-weeks for a first Universal Credit payment.
Karen Burgon, Project director of Leeds North and West Foodbank said:
“No one in Leeds should need a food bank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all. It doesn’t have to be this way – our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty. Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.”
Wendy Doyle, Project manager of Leeds South and East Foodbank said:
“Until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most. We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.”
The running costs for the food banks are raised locally to enable them to continue their work. Costs include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food, vans to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances. The food banks welcome any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the food bank’s work can find out more at
https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/
https://leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/
Leeds Trussell Trust Foodbanks:
- Leeds North and West and Leeds South and East Foodbanks have been providing three days emergency food and support to local people since September 2013
- 171 tonnes of food were donated by the local community between April 2018 – March 2019
- For more info, visit
https://leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk/ or https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/ - Our Foodbanks are part of the Trussell Trust network. For UK-wide Trussell Trust food bank statistics visit https://www.trusselltrust.org/news-and-blog/latest-stats/