Trust fears over rise in use of food bank
FOOD bank use increased by more than 10% in Southport last year, according to figures released by the Trussell Trust.
The Trussell Trust is the biggest operator of food banks in the UK and operates a centre in Southport at the Lakeside Christian Centre on Promenade.
Collections are taken at various locations around the town, including the Tesco and Asda superstores and Southport Football Club.
Parcels are given to local people who are in “real need”, only once they have been referred from one of a number of profes- sional or statutory bodies.
In total, 59,446 meals were given out in Southport in 2017-18, feeding 5,494 people.
Volunteers at the food bank have welcomed the generosity of residents in making this possible, while calling for politicians to do more to prevent people from needing emergency supplies.
A spokesman for the Southport service said: “The good news is that the generosity of local people donating food to help their less fortunate fellow citizens matched that need and grew by almost 13% in the same period.
“But let’s be clear. While we are proud to play our part in delivering the food to those in need and providing them with other support so that their situations can be quickly alleviated, we really do not want to be here.
“The Trussell Trust has commissioned many studies which have evidenced the reasons for this growth and it is now up to the politicians to deal with the human tragedies their policies are largely responsible for.
“Whilst locally our food stocks are generally adequate we are currently very short of fruit juice or cordial, tinned tomatoes, tinned fish and meat which can be heated (eg tins of stewed steak, chicken curry, minced beef etc.
“If you are able to help, please do.
“We shall be grateful to you.”