NEW figures released by Basingstoke Foodbank reveal 2,800 emergency food parcels were provided to 6,300 residents who couldn’t afford the essentials between April 2021 and March 2022.

The Foodbank works alongside food banks across the @TrussellTrust network to push for the long-term changes to create a future where everyone can afford the essentials.

The demand for the local Foodbank is now back to pre-pandemic levels and there is concern that the economic pressures will cause the demand to rise further in the coming months.

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Phil Thomas, chair of the trustees said: “There’ll always be a role for strong community groups looking out for their neighbours, and we're so grateful for the generous support of our volunteers and to local people who have donated to the food bank. Together, you’ve made sure that local people who can’t afford the essentials don’t face hunger.

“The support we see across the community for people on the lowest incomes is incredible. But it shouldn’t be needed. We should all be free from hunger. No one should be pushed deeper into poverty without enough money for the things we all need. It’s not right that anyone in Basingstoke needs our food bank in the first place - everyone should be able to afford the essentials.

“At the moment the situation is only set to get worse, as this is just the start of the cost of living crisis. But we know what’s pushing people to need food banks like ours, so we know what needs to be done. People cannot afford to wait any longer for support – UK, national and local governments at all levels must use their powers and take urgent action now to strengthen our social security system so it keeps up with the true cost of living.”

The food bank is part of the Trussell Trust network, which has experienced its busiest winter outside of the height of the pandemic in 2020. Food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided more than 2.1 million parcels to people on the lowest incomes across the UK from April 2021 1 to March, 31 2022.

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This is a 14 per cent increase on pre-pandemic figures in 2019-20 as more and more people across the country are unable to afford the essentials we all need to eat, stay warm, dry and clean.

Basingstoke Foodbank expressed gratitude for the sustained support from the generous people and businesses of the town, in both financial and food donations.

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