A Co Derry foodbank has reported an increase in users by 75% over the pandemic.
Foyle Foodbank, established in 2016, says food was provided to 6,805 people in 2020, with the foodbank extending its service from three days to five days a week to cope with demand.
In their annual report, Foyle Foodbank said that Covid-19 tipped the balance for many struggling families.
They said: “Government austerity programmes in place before Covid meant that many people’s food, housing and childcare budgets were already finely balanced. From there it only takes a slight reduction in income or circumstance to push people into crisis. When Covid-19 arrived, even furlough payments of 80% of wages meant a decrease in income, leaving many in a situation where they could not cope."
Low income made up 66% of reasons for food poverty given by foodbank users.
Foyle Foodbank made it clear that difficulties caused by the pandemic would not disappear.
A spokesperson added: “The furlough mitigation scheme has cloaked the full extent of the pandemic’s consequences. Removal of the scheme in September 2021 will add additional challenges for many.”
Foyle Foodbank praised the reaction of the people of Derry throughout the rise in demand.
While users increased as did the number of volunteers and there was a total of 7,788 volunteer hours worked, an increase of 130%. This was split between Foyle Foodbanks’ 30 volunteers.
As well as volunteers, the amount of donations increased to match demand. A total of 64,321kg of food and hygiene products were donated by individuals and organisations during 2020. This was a 63% increase compared to 2020.
The Chair of Foyle Foodbanks, Denis McGowan, expressed his gratitude to those who donated and ensures that Foyle Foodbank could match the increased demand caused during the pandemic.
He said: “We could do nothing without the support and donations of food and money from the entire community here in the North West. Words are inadequate to express our deep gratitude.”
“We all share a moral responsibility to ensure that our fellow citizens do not go hungry. But, by continuing with policies that drive people into a food crisis, the state is offloading some of its core responsibility.
“The duty of care for our fellow citizens now rests too heavily on the efforts of local people in local communities. The duty of care needs re-balancing.”
More information on Foyle Foodbank can be found here.
For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.
