"This isn’t right and cannot continue."
Those were the sobering words by a boss at Bristol's biggest foodbank charity after the organisation experienced a 258 per cent spike in people receiving emergency parcels in April.
Chiefs at Trussell Trust Foodbanks (TTF) are now urging the government to take action.
The charity dished out 5,228 emergency food parcels - the equivalent of 47,000 meals - in Bristol and South Gloucestershire throughout April, as thousands of people had their earnings slashed during the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 2,300 of those packages went to children and this doesn’t include figures from independent foodbanks in our city.
The statistics show a 258 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, including a 300 per cent rise in parcels handed to kids.
Charity chiefs have called on the government to roll out 'a Coronavirus Emergency Income Support Scheme'.
Loss of work due to the pandemic and the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments are both reasons why so many families have been struggling, according to a spokesman for TTF.
Matt Dobson, foodbank manager of TTF's North Bristol branch said:“ We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire who do not have enough money for food are able to access emergency support.
"We’ve been making big changes to our work to ensure we can continue to offer people who can’t afford essentials the emergency help that is needed as safely as possible.
"But ultimately, no one in Bristol and South Gloucestershire should need to use a food bank. 5,228 emergency food parcels to local people is 5,228 emergency food parcels too many. This isn’t right and cannot continue.
“Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last few months because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds.
"To everyone that has donated - thank you.”
How you can help
Foodbanks relies on the support of people across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The charity has asked anyone interested in supporting their work to either consider donating food or funds.
North Bristol Foodbank – info@northbristol.foodbank.org.uk
Bristol North West Foodbank – office@bristolnwfoodbank.org.uk
East Bristol Foodbank – ebfoodbank@inhope.uk
Bristol isn't unique
Chief executive of the TTF Emma Revie said Bristol is not unique and rises in foodbank need has been experienced across the UK for the past five years.
She said: "Our latest national figures show that in April food banks in our network reported a soaring 89 per cent increase in need - with the number of families coming to food banks doubling.
"This is completely unprecedented and not right. People need to be able to put food on their table.
"The government must put urgent support in place to ensure people already struggling to keep their heads above water can stay afloat.
"We have outlined what we need our government to do - it’s in our power to protect one another, we’ve seen it during this health crisis, and we need it to continue during this economic one.”
