134 tonnes of rations handed out by city’s foodbanks

A MASSIVE 134 tonnes of food was handed out to families and vulnerable people through Cardiff’s foodbanks last year, the charity behind them has revealed.

Between April 1 last year and this March 31, more than 11,000 emergency rations of food – each of which lasts three days – were provided to people in crisis.

The charity fears that demand is only going to grow because of the rollout of emergency credit in Cardiff to people on benefits earlier this year.

Helen Bull, development manager at Cardiff Foodbank, said it was already “starting to see an increase”.

“We are likely to see a substantial rise in emergency food provisions over the next year,” she said.

Across Wales and the UK as a whole, there has been a signficant rise in the amount of food given out to people in need.

Cardiff’s total figure fell, largely because of the end of a partnership with NPower through which free fuel had been available at foodbanks in the city.

Nationwide increases have been blamed in part on Universal Credit.

For the first time, new Wales-specific data highlights the growing number of foodbank referrals due to benefit levels not covering the costs of essentials.

Those citing “low income” as a reason for referral to foodbanks accounted for 29% of referrals in Wales compared to 27% in the previous year.

Tony Graham, director of Wales for The Trussell Trust, explains: “It’s hard to break free from hunger if there isn’t enough money coming in to cover the rising cost of absolute essential like food and housing.

“For too many people, staying above water is a daily struggle. It’s completely unacceptable that anyone is forced to turn to a foodbank as a result.

“The Welsh rollout of Universal Credit has been piecemeal, but when fully rolled out, is the future of our benefits system.

“It’s vital we get it right, and ensure levels of payment keep pace with the rising cost of essentials, particularly for groups of people we know are already more likely to need a foodbank – disabled people, people dealing with an illness, families with children and single parents.”

Eleanor Sanders, chair of trustees of Cardiff Foodbank said: “It doesn’t have to be this way – 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, this is possible. But until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.”

The foodbank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the foodbank’s work can find out more at www. cardiff.foodbank.org.uk and www. localgiving.org/charity/cardifffoodbank/

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said it was wrong to link Universal Credit to rising foodbank use.

A spokesman said: “The reasons why people use food banks are complex, so it’s wrong to link a rise to any one cause.

“This research... was carried out before our significant improvements to Universal Credit came into effect at the Budget; such as 100% advances, which support people before their first payment, removing the seven waiting days and two weeks’ extra housing support for claimants moving onto Universal Credit.”