Trussell Trust concerned demand in foodbanks could rise towards Christmas

The number of food parcels delivered by the Trussell Trust to people struggling for essentials in Watford stood at 5,425 between April and September.

A total of 3,427 parcels were sent to adults and 1,998 were sent to children during this period.

Chief executive of the Trussell Trust Emma Revie said: "Throughout 2020, communities across the South East have stepped in to provide vital support to people left without enough money.

"But it’s not right that any of us are forced to a charity for food, at any time of year. "

In the South East, the Trussell Trust delivered more than 149,000 emergency food parcels to people struggling to afford essentials between April and September.

Food crate

More than 59,000 of these packages were provided for children - a 74 per cent increase on the same period last year.

She added: "This pandemic has shown the unexpected can hit us suddenly, with devastating consequences for people’s lives.

"But it’s also shown we can make huge changes to the way we live and look after each other. It’s shown that when we come together to push for change, the government responds. Together, we can build a hunger free future."

But the trust is now concerned its network of foodbanks across the South East will see similar levels of demands this winter.

In light of the figures, Watford Foodbank manager, Andrew Tranter, says he thinks there could be an increase in demand during the lead up to Christmas.

He said from March to July there was a 94 per cent increase in the demand compared to last year. But at the start of August demand dropped as people went back to work and schools reopened.

This continued well into October with the half term having a limited impact on the foodbank, but says he's seen a slight change in the demand this month.

Food tins

He added: "We have provided additional food for families in the school holidays for several years. School holiday meals become more of an issue in the long summer breaks especially for large families.

"This month we have our annual Tesco National food collection 19th 20th and 21st November. Tesco Staff will be there and responsible for the collection at the permanent collection point in the store."

Lynne Misner, founder of the charity Small Acts of Kindness also predicts there will be an increase in the demand in services during the winter months.

The charity delivers bags full of essential items such as blankets, hot drinks and gloves, to elderly people who may not be able to afford heating.

She said a majority of people who request her bags are those over 80. The charity has recently packaged 7,000 bags which is an increase from last year.

She says requests for bags from individuals has risen by 50 per cent this year and the requests from organisations who the charity partners with has risen by 20 per cent.

She added: "There is always an increase in the lead up to Christmas especially when you get a particular cold spell.

Packing the bags. Credit: Lynne Misner

"The cold weather can mean an increase risk of health conditions such as blood pressure. Mental wellbeing impacts people of all ages, especially during these times, not having that engagement with other people can have detrimental affects.

"The fact that when someone delivers that bag to them, it sends them a message that there are other people who care about them."

Ms Misner believes the increase in demand is due to elderly people becoming more likely to seek help especially during lockdown. She said that people in the community are also becoming more awre of older people who might need help.

She added: "Because older people can't go out and about, they're more likely to seek help from other people.

"Normally they would pop to the shops and buy themselves a hat or gloves, but at the moment people can't do that, that is why it is such a relief for them to get a bag."

For more information about the organisations go to https://www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk/ and http://www.watfordfoodbank.co.uk/.