The number of food parcels distributed to Isle of Wight families via the Foodbank has fallen year-on-year, according to new statistics. The Trussell Trust, which runs the Isle of Wight Foodbank, has reported a 8.6% drop in the total number of parcels distributed locally. Between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023, a total of 6,844 parcels were handed over to local families in need. But between 1st April 2023 and 31st March this year, that number had fallen to 6,255 – despite the number of distribution centres increasing by 2. Some 3,760 parcels were given to adults in the past year and 2,495 to children. Despite the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, the number of parcels being distributed on the Isle of Wight has not changed in the past 5 years, with 2019/20 seeing 6,253 parcels distributed – just 2 less than in 2023/24. Nationally, 3.1million emergency parcels were provided to people facing hardship in the 12 months up to March 2024, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented:
“Everyone should have enough to provide for their family and put food on the table. This includes those that received Trussell Trust food parcel support from the 7 Island centres during this 12-month period. A total of 6,255 food parcels. “This sustained poverty is clearly unacceptable. Too many politicians continue to claim things are getting better. Not for those Island children who received 2,495 of those food parcels. “This is why the district NEU will soon be asking everyone to sign a petition to introduce free school meals to every primary school pupil. It is planned to join the NEU handover in Westminster on 17 July. We will also be asking primary schools to support their pupils in writing to our MP about the advantages of eating a free school meal. “Child hunger is impacting pupils’ ability to learn. It is putting increasing pressure on schools and their ability to educate. So much so, that it is starting to be called “the 4th emergency service” “We cannot carry on like this. Hunger devastates learning. We need an education system that works for all.”
That’s because according to the Island court roundup just released by Island Echo every is stealing from shops instead
Why do you think they are stealing food could it be because of not being able to work due to losing their business or home or mental health or disability..
Have a heart for gods sake CHILDREN are starving on this judgemental little Island. Im ashamed. All of you nasty people making nasty comments should be too. Just put some porridge in your local foodbank collection. It costs pennies.
The benefits system is very generous in this country. Yes, a few inevitably fall through the net, but the question which should be asked of the others is ‘What are you spending the money on?’
Maybe it’s time to change to a system of vouchers which can only be used to purchase certain goods, e.g. food, and not cash straight into a bank account which is obviously not being used for what it was intended.
Also they should STOP dishing out £30,000.00+ vehicles
let them travel by public transport
“This is why the district NEU will soon be asking everyone to sign a petition to introduce free school meals to every primary school pupil.
Only on the condition that the cost of providing free school meals is deducted from the parents benefits
don’t see why the rest of us should be expected to stump up the cost of feeding other peoples kids
Research shows hungry children don’t learn. The impact: they struggle more into adulthood and beyond. They are less able to gain better employment, less able to contribute fully to society and less able to contribute to the tax system. Look at countries that do have free school meals, their education system is thriving – bringing all the benefits that this success brings.
not my kids, not my responsibility, not my problem – ergo, don’t see why I should be expected pay for others kids in taxes
They will be your problem when you’ll rely on the young to pay your pension when you retire. If for 1 minute you think you’d have paid in more than you’ll receive you’ll be very much mistaken.
We get that Peter. But ultimately handing some parents cash support, doesn’t guarantee it is spent on the kids. Vouchers are a bit old fashion, but I was on low income for a while and had milk vouchers. It might have been possible to exchange a milk for a Unigate orange juice, but not cigs and booze. It’s a bit World War II ration books again, but the voucher system worked pretty good and was fair. Free school meals and milk were good back in the day, but it stopped and the cash was diverted through tax allowances and into the hands of the parents. But in some cases is it actually spent on the kids or put to other uses? Food banks are excellent as they actually put food on the table.
Are you suggesting that every primary school child should have free school meals but the cost should be deducted from benefit recipients but kids with parents in work wil gettheirs free? I agree that people should pay for their own kids since they chose to have them but I am damned if I agree that those on benefits should pay while those earning (some high) wages should not.
Surprised pop up Bob hasn’t got a photo opportunity here. Particularly as the food banks are a Tory initiative (or at least a result of their ‘ progressive’ policies).
Not reduced, just that Food pantries,Free food Sandown, Aspire and several other churches and Soup kitchen, Morrisons and Asda are providing too. Free school meals are not taken up by 60% of those entitled as most dinners are crap!.
They are probably all constipated from eating overprocessed, tinned crap. The very few desperate cases who actually need food banks should be supplied with proper food: flour, milk, sugar, potatoes, onions, some seasonal veg, some seasonal fruit, some minced beef and a chicken. They should be taught how to cook simple healthy meals. Do not hand out food to people who are using food banks to subsidise their mortgages.
You can’t just rock up to a food bank and receive a food parcel. Schools, council etc have to recommend you 1st. The only reasons the numbers have dropped is if certain authorities have tightened the recommendation process, they no longer automatically renew the recommendations, people are more reluctant to ask for help or less people genuinely need it.
Once the holiday makers come down here, they will be used a lot more, after all why pay for food when on holiday when you can just go to the local foodbank. Are any checks made, proof of benefits etc ?? Proof of address of the person wanting the food. Council tax bill, water bill etc etc.