Handouts soaring
More than 3000 emergency packs handed out by food banks
More than 3000 emergency food supply packs have been issued in Hamilton in just six months.
Hamilton District Foodbank handed out 3177 threeday emergency supplies to desperate locals between April 1 and September 30 this year.
Alarmingly, 1038 of these went to children.
The figures, released this week, highlight a massive 33 per cent increase on the same period last year, and foodbank volunteers are bracing themselves for another surge in demand as the winter weather draws in.
The foodbank is a member of The Trussell Trust’s network, which reported a Uk-wide increase in foodbank use.
The charity believes the local increase is due to “people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments, issues with Universal Credit and insecure work”.
Isobel Graham, manager of Hamilton District Foodbank, said: “It’s a real concern that in only six months we’ve provided 3177 emergency supplies to local people.
“These figures don’t even cover our busiest time of year – as the colder weather draws in, we often find more people needing our help.
“It’s not right that anyone in Hamilton district is being forced to turn to our foodbank. Our volunteers offer vital support when it matters most, but they should not need to.
“We want to see an end to local people needing emergency food – with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials, we could reach that future. We’re determined to make sure that until that time comes, emergency help is here for people.
“But there needs to be some long-term change because we don’t want to be here forever.”
The shocking new figures were condemned by Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP, Christina Mckelvie.
She said: “The crazed UK benefits system is increasing poverty throughout the constituency. The relationship between that reality and the increase in demand upon Hamilton District Foodbank is direct and undeniable.
“Volunteers at the foodbank are clearly seeing the damage to people’s lives through the
failed Universal Credit system. On average, in the first few months following a rollout, there is an increase of 13 per cent in foodbank use.
“After a year, that figure has increased to 52 per cent.”
Ms Mckelvie urged Hamilton residents to donate what they can to the foodbank.
She added: “I really encourage the people who can to help the ones that can’t afford to buy adequate food for Christmas.
“Poverty does not discriminate and no one chooses to be there.
“Let us all do whatever we can to help and to donate to the Hamilton District Foodbank.”