FOOD BANK usage rose a third during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Trussell Trust, which distributed a record 2.5 million parcels across the UK.
The charity handed out 2,537,198 emergency food parcels between April 2020 and March 2021.
Almost one million (980,082) of these parcels went to children – more than one parcel every minute on average, the charity said.
It is the first time the total number of parcels has topped two million and is a rise of 33% compared to 2019-20 – itself a record year.
The Trussell Trust said need is driven by people not having enough money for the basics, and more people than ever need the social security system to provide a “strong enough lifeline” for them to keep afloat.
Farnworth and Kearsley foodbank is one branch that is supported by The Trussell Trust.
However, he added that the local community prevented the Farnworth and Kearsley foodbank from being overwhelmed.
Mr Whittington said: “We only saw a slight increase in people needing our foodbank and support during lockdown.
“The reason we think it wasn’t a bigger issue than we imagined is down to the local community.
“There were lot of places, charities, individuals and business helping to support people in poverty.
“It’s been amazing to see the community come together to give out supplies.”
What items are most needed at Farnworth and Kearsley foodbank?
Mark said they always have plenty of baked beans, tea bags and tinned soup- these are the items that always make it into the care packages.
However, the items they need the most or run low on often change week by week.
(Facebook/ @FKFoodbank )
Mark said: “Right now we are running low on jam, tinned vegetables, long life fruit juice, as well as men and women’s deodorant.”
He added: “We will often put a message out of items that we are running low on… some people are so generous and donate so many of them that we are able to remove the items from the list.”
While giving out food is the priority Mr Whittington said toiletries such as shampoo and shower gel are “always welcome too”.
However, there are limits on what the food banks can accept.
Mark said: “We don’t take in things like baby milk and we can’t usually accept perishable items.
“We have a fridge and freezer space but only a small amount of space.”
They update their Facebook page regularly with items they are running low on.
How to make a donation
According to Mark, the easiest way to make a donation is to pick up some extra items on your Tesco or Asda shop and drop them off at a donation point.
Here are the food collection points for Farnworth and Kearsley foodbank:
- Tesco Superstore, Longcauseway, Farnworth
Collection point: front of store near self service area
- Tesco Extra, Ellesmere Centre, Walkden
Collection point: front of store near exit
- Asda, Brackley Street, Farnworth
Collection point: front of store near community board
- Asda, Manchester Road, Burnden
Collection point: front of store behind tills
Alternatively, you can also donate through the Spareable app.
Through this app, you can purchase food which then gets delivered straight to the food bank.
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