Over 106,910 emergency food parcels distributed to people in Yorkshire by Trussell’s community of food banks in past six months

However, this is a 122 per cent increase on the number of food parcels distributed in the region compared to 2019.

Alarmingly 37,246 of the food parcels were for children.

Today (Weds Nov 20), anti-poverty charity Trussell reports that its community of food banks in the Yorkshire and the Humber distributed just over 106,910 emergency food parcels between April and September this year. This includes 37,246 parcels provided for children facing hunger across the region.

The majority of food parcels distributed in the UK were to families with children, with 63 per cent of the total number of parcels going to households with children aged 0–16, the charity reports. More than 277,000 people visited a food bank in the Trussell community for the first time between April and September.

The total number of parcels provided across the UK is 67,000 fewer when compared to the same period last year, representing a four per cent decrease.

Trussell says there are a number of possible reasons for this recent small dip, such as the gradual slowdown in the extortionate price hikes we experienced on food and bills in recent years, and an end to the Local Housing Allowance freeze in April, bringing support for private renters back in line with local rents.

However, Trussell says it’s difficult to say if there has been an actual drop in hunger and hardship. The need for emergency food is still persistently high, and the number of parcels provided across the UK is 69 per cent greater than the same period in 2019.

Trussell says while food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left isolated, facing hunger, and without enough money to live on, many are at breaking point due to years of growing numbers of people forced through their doors. Winter is often the busiest time for food banks and

Trussell is calling on the public to continue to play their part and support their local food banks to meet this urgent need, by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK.

Food banks offer hope, dignity and relief to people facing hardship. Many need vital funds to provide services beyond distributing emergency food, such as advice and support that unlocks money someone should be getting and services aimed at helping people out of financial hardship.   

Trussell says the evidence is clear that hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem, it's an income problem.

People are being forced to turn to food banks because incomes from work, and social security payments, do not cover the cost of the essentials, such as food, bills, and toiletries.

That’s why Trussell has also joined forces with hundreds of communities, food banks and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in calling on the UK government to take urgent action now. 

The charity says there is hope and it knows we can end hunger, if positive action is taken. The UK government must act swiftly to follow up announcements in the recent Budget, with a clear plan to meet its manifesto commitment to end the need for emergency food and ensure that we do not see even more people facing hunger and hardship on its watch. 

This plan should include investment in our social security system, at the very least introducing a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit to limit the amount of reductions that could be applied to a household’s Universal Credit. This would ensure, for the first time, that there would be a real safety net below which no one could fall.

The charity says this is something that would be a low cost but concrete step towards ensuring our social security system protects people from facing hunger and hardship. 

Emma Revie, chief executive of Trussell, said: “The sheer numbers of people in Yorkshire and the Humber still facing hunger and hardship is heartbreaking. This cannot go on and we refuse to stand by while so many of us are pushed to the brink, left without enough money to live on.

“Our food banks are a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. They need everyone to play their part to move us towards ending the need for emergency food in Yorkshire and the Humber.

"You can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice this winter by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in Yorkshire and the Humber and the rest of the UK.

“The UK Government was elected with a manifesto pledge to end the need for emergency food and the time to act is now. There have been promising steps, but we need a clearer plan with more decisive action to invest in our social security system, if we are to end hunger once and for all.”

Josie Barlow, foodbank manager, said: “We are seeing high levels of need for food banks across Yorkshire and the Humber. Last month we distributed emergency food parcels to over 1500 people in 747 families. We know that the combination of low levels of Universal Credit means that winter is so very hard for low-income families to survive and they are having to make impossible choices between feeding their families or heating the house.”

To find out more about how you can support food banks and Trussell please visit: https://www.trussell.org.uk/