BASINGSTOKE foodbank has expressed its gratitude for the ‘fantastically generous’ people of Basingstoke during what has been an exceptionally busy past few months.

Speaking to the Gazette, Phil Thomas, chair of trustees, said that there has been a significant rise in usage of the service since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “Obviously we are not yet through January, but December was the highest uptake we have ever had - we were feeding more than 1000 people that month.

Touching on how the pandemic has impacted on residents’ circumstances in numerous ways, Phil added: “Obviously we monitor the reasons why people need the foodbank and in terms of increases, low income is right up there.

“Sickness is also a big increase, and that is also Covid related. But possibly one of the most tragic, is that domestic violence is also being cited more. There has been a 500 per cent increase in referrals for this reason than this time last year. We are in touch with agencies who deal with situations like that, and we do what we can to help.”

The lockdown restrictions have meant that the foodbank has been forced to completely alter how it operates, which has meant additional work for its team of volunteers.

“Because of lockdown, we have had to completely change the model of how we work. Before, people would come to the foodbank, so now we are doing a total delivery model.

“That also means we don’t get any face-to-face contact with clients. Before they would come and we would give them a cup of tea and chat to them about the reasons why they need the foodbank, to try and help them with these things.”

The charity has set up a “calling team” who speak to clients over the phone, which is mainly made up of volunteers who are shielding themselves. Their job is to listen, and to “sign post” clients to other help available.

“That aspect is working really well,” said Phil.

The restrictions have also meant people have had to be discouraged from attending the foodbank to drop off donations, and instead directed towards supermarket collection points and online donation page.

Phil said: “The people in Basingstoke and the businesses of Basingstoke have been fantastically generous. We really did enter Covid thinking, how are we going to cope with this, thinking surely we would suffer.

“In fact, it's been the opposite. I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of the foodbank and the people it serves. Donations, both in terms of food and finances, have been magnificent.

“Supermarket drop-offs really do help us with keeping stock up, and you can donate online. On the website, we always put the items in short supply.

“If you had asked me ahead of time, I thought I would be saying we were in dire straits, but the response has been superb and we are well staffed. So I am absolutely delighted about that.”

Although its support is entirely separate, the foodbank did support local charities when it became clear through a campaign supported by footballer Marcus Rashord that substitute school meals were not up to scratch.

“It’s terrible, measly quantities of food that people have been receiving in other ways,” said Phil.

“It’s been quite satisfying to know that, because we are under the umbrella body of Trussell Trust, they have the services of a dietician and give us a set of requirements for the food parcels we send. They are designed to give people a balanced diet, and a few treats and toiletries and stuff as well. It’s been quite heartening to know that, while there's been the furore in the media - quite rightly - the stuff we are putting out is exactly as it should be.”

For now, the team remain as busy as ever, with the foodbank currently supporting two to three times more clients than last year.

“There is a lot of people using a foodbank for the first time. For a lot of people that carries a stigma, a shame,” said Phil.

“While I really understand that, the message I want to get across is please don’t feel that way. I would want to bend over backwards to reassure people that there need be absolutely no stigma attached to using the foodbank. It’s far more important to get food on the table. It’s a crisis supply, and there may be a time you can pull back from it if that’s important to people.”

The foodbank is not a walk-in service, but instead receives referrals from agencies all across Basingstoke. Anyone who feels they may be in the position of needing its support, or wishes to make a financial donation, can get more information by visiting the foodbank website at basingstoke.foodbank.org.uk, or phoning them on 07722 673645.