SouthNorfolk896
The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

WaveneyFoodbankPacking640
Waveney Foodbank provides 60k crisis meals in a year 

New figures show 60,000 emergency meals were given to local people by Waveney Foodbank in the last 12 months, that’s enough for one meal for every person living in: Harleston, Diss, Loddon, Long Stratton, Eye, Beccles, Bungay and a number of other local villages.

The Foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust’s network, believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues including a five-week wait for Universal Credit payments.

Other factors including low wages; insecure work, sickness, Disability and PIP payments, homelessness, addiction as well as closure of local charities offering crisis support and rising rental charges in private accommodation, can all lead to more and more people being one pay day away from crisis, said Matthew Scade, manager of Waveney Foodbank.

“A large expense or repair bill will push those families into food poverty,” said Matthew. “Waveney Foodbank is working hard to help prevent local people affected going hungry but is troubled by the extra pressure this puts on food donation stocks and volunteers.

“It’s really worrying that we are still seeing a massive increase in need for emergency food across our area, we’ve already seen dramatic increase in need compared to this time last year.

“Every day last year an average of ten people were referred to us after something unavoidable - like illness, a delayed benefit payment or an unexpected bill. Food poverty means there’s no money for food after all the bills are being paid.
 
“It’s only with local people’s help that we’re able to provide vital support when it matters most, and whilst we pray to God, that one day there’ll be no need for our work, until that day comes we’ll be working hard to help prevent people going hungry.”   
                     
Waveney Foodbank is appealing for people to donate time, food or money to help the cause and for just £3 a month you can become a friend of the Foodbank.

If you want to find out more contact Matthew Scade at Waveney foodbank at: info@waveney.foodbank.org.uk or by phone 07484 394749.
 


8507 views
To submit a story or to publicise an event please email: web@networknorwich.co.uk