Foodbanks braced for a rush this Christmas
THE number of hungry families forced to rely on foodbanks to survive the festive season is expected to rise across Greater Manchester.
Volunteers are preparing to help more people than ever before by handing out emergency food parcels this Christmas. But as well as essentials such as milk, cereal and pasta, anti-hunger campaigners may also need to provide fuel vouchers, warm clothing and blankets.
Many struggling to feed themselves will be unable to afford a Christmas present for their children.
So some foodbanks will also aim to provide festive food hampers and toys for desperate families.
The Trussell Trust, which operates dozens of foodbanks across Greater Manchester including in Stockport, is anticipating a very busy December.
Across the region foodbanks were visited 26,937 times between April and September this year. But foodbank network director Adrian Curtis said the charity always provides more support to people in winter.
He said: “Last year, one mum at a Trussell Trust foodbank on Christmas Eve burst into tears when the volunteers gave her a teddy bear to give to her young son alongside emergency food; she thought she wouldn’t be able to give him anything for Christmas, and the foodbank was able to provide her family with hope, as well as food for her family.
“Sadly, this mum is far from alone. This could be the foodbank network’s busiest Christmas yet, so we would really value any support you can offer as we help stop families and individuals from going hungry this Christmas.”
Mum-of-two Anna was referred to her local foodbank after the company she worked for closed. She said: “I’ve been really worried I’m going to have to tell my boy Christmas is cancelled this year. I’d never used the foodbank before, never even heard of it. I’ve never claimed anything – I’m dying to go back to work.
“I was really scared when I first went in but at the foodbank they made me feel so welcome - they were absolutely lovely.
“The second I can, I’ll be making a donation to the foodbank – I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.”
Volunteers are bracing themselves for their busiest month. During December 2015 the foodbank network provided emergency food supplies to 133,734 people across the UK.
To make a donation to The Trussell Trust or find out how to help a local foodbank visit trusselltrust. org.