More people in crisis turning to foodbanks (From Salisbury Journal)

More people in crisis turning to foodbanks

12:02pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News By Hannah White

SALISBURY-BASED foodbank charity The Trussell Trust says Christmas is looking bleak for many people.

The charity has been called in to help a record-breaking number of families in crisis over the last six months.

The trust’s foodbank network, now numbering 270 across the UK, has fed almost 110,000 people since April, compared to 128,697 people in total during the 2011-2012 financial year.

The rising cost of food and fuel, combined with static incomes, high unemployment and changes to benefits have seen increasing numbers turn to foodbanks over the last 18 months.

With news that food prices are likely to rise again, and British Gas and Npower set to increase fuel bills by almost 10 per cent, the Trussell Trust is concerned.

Executive chairman Chris Mould said: “The trust has seen firsthand the devastating impact of rising food prices on people in poverty. “It means the budgets of people on the breadline are stretched even further, so that even a small change in financial circumstances can push people into a crisis where they cannot afford food.

“Many low-income working families are living on a knife edge. This rise in food prices could be enough to tip them into poverty, especially as winter approaches and heating costs increase. Christmas is looking bleak for thousands of UK families.”

He said the good news is that communities are pulling out the stops to start new foodbanks and people are donating more food to help those in crisis.