The Isle of Wight Foodbank provided 6,253 emergency food parcels to local people in the year leading to March 2020 – with 2,421 going to children.
The figures are a 23% increase on the previous financial year.
With the unprecedented impact of coronavirus, the Isle of Wight Foodbank has experienced even greater levels of need as the pandemic continues to unfold. The IOW Foodbank believes the recent local increase is due to people struggling with low income and loss of work due to coronavirus.
The food bank relies on the support of people across the Isle of Wight. It has asked anyone interested in supporting their work to either consider donating food or funds. The food bank is particularly in need of tinned potatoes, tinned carrots, tinned peas and tinned mixed vegetables. These can be dropped off at your local supermarket or at the headquarters in Love Lane, Cowes.
Hannah King, foodbank manager of The Isle of Wight Foodbank said:
“We’re dedicated to ensuring that people on the Isle of Wight without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. We’ve been making big changes to the way we 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 on the Isle of Wight should need to use a food bank. 6253 emergency food parcels to local people is 6253 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.”
Wait until Pennyfeather is built and bred to over capacity. Will need even more free charity hand outs to keep the poor breeding from starving, as they couldn’t possibly use their family allowance, child tax credits, on buying food, when phones, smart TV’s car each, designer clothes and of course charlie for the weekend, are sooo necessary.
Easier to whinge and get your cake and eat it too.
YES, I know a ‘few’ are in need, but as ALL people get the same rights to benefit then ALL with a rare exception ought to be able to feed themselves. Rent and c.tax all paid for.
They are often, NOT always, but OFTEN just greedy take it all spongers.
True. Some near me manage to get bags full of cans bottles etc of whatever they’re drinking . Then they toddle off down the food bank and collect a few bag fulls. And these sorts haven’t even got families! Apparently don’t require vouchers anymore so they can help themselves