Rise in food for children is behind increased foodbank need during holidays

An increase in demand for emergency food for children drove increased foodbank need during the summer holidays last year.

New data published by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust shows today.

Last year the number of supplies given to adults decreased slightly in the summer months, whereas the level of support needed for children was markedly higher: during July and August 2017, The Trussell Trust's network of over 420 foodbanks provided over 204,525 three day emergency supplies, 74,011 of which went to children. In comparison, during May and June 2017 70,510 supplies went to children.*

Over a third of all food distributed by the foodbank network throughout the year goes to children, but there is extra financial pressure to provide main meals during the school holidays for families who rely on free school meals during term time. Last year's report from The All Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger estimated the loss of free school meals during the holidays adds between £30 and £40 a week to parents' outgoings for one child.

During the summer months of 2017, more tonnes of food were distributed by foodbanks in The Trussell Trust's network than were received as donations, and this - combined with a recent upturn in foodbank use - has prompted the charity to ask the public check with their local foodbank what donations are most needed in their local area this summer.

Whilst these donations are vital for meeting immediate need during the holidays, the charity warns foodbanks cannot be long-term solution and has called for better support to be in place all-year round to protect people from hunger.

In total during July and August 2017, 204,525 three day emergency food supplies were provided to people in crisis, compared to 202,031 in May and June of the same year. Of these,

• 130,514 supplies went to adults in July and August compared to 131,521 in May and June 2017

• 74,011 supplies went to children in July and August compared to 70,150 in May and June 2017

1,649 tonnes of food were donated to The Trussell Trust's network in July and August 2017. During the same period 1,813 tonnes of food were distributed by foodbanks in the network to people referred for emergency support.

You can help foodbanks to make sure vital food and additional support is there for families referred this summer. It's really easy to get involved by checking with your local foodbank to see what donations are most needed in your local area. There are several local emergency food providers in East Suffolk and Ipswich

The Trussel Trust scheme operates in the northern parts of Suffolk Coastal and Waveney is covered by:

Lowestoft Foodbank c/o Lowestoft Community Church, 8 Hadenham Road, Lowestoft NR33 7NF

WEBSITE: https://lowestoft.foodbank.org.uk EMAIL: info@lowestoft.foodbank.org.uk

The Trussell Trust is an anti-poverty charity that runs a network of 428 foodbanks across the UK.

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