More than 1.2 million emergency parcels handed out at foodbanks

Trussell Trust foodbanks handed out a record 1.2 million emergency parcels in the six months to September, the charity reported.

More than 470,000 of the supplies went to children, showing the scale of support during the virus crisis, the trust said.

The charity added that its figures did not include the number of people helped by community organisations, independent foodbanks and local authorities.

Foodbanks in the trust’s network of 1,300 centres saw a 47% increase in need during the crisis, said the report.

The trust said welcome steps have been taken by the UK Government during the pandemic, but it called for longer-term action.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Throughout 2020, communities across the country have stepped

in to provide vital support to people left without enough money.

“Volunteers in foodbanks have been working hard under extremely difficult circumstances to make sure support is there for people struggling to afford essentials, but it’s not right that any of us are forced to a charity for food, at any time of year.”

The charity voiced concern that foodbanks in its network may see high levels of need over the winter and beyond , particularly as redundancies increase.

The top three reasons for someone being referred to a foodbank in the trust’s network during April to September were low income, benefit delays and sickness or ill health.

Kerry Brown, left, and Fiona Graham at a foodbank collection point in Morrisons, Banchory.