Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Emergency parcels sent out have doubled
Charity says continuing benefits issues to blame
The number of emergency supply parcels distributed by Airdrie foodbank more than doubled in the past 12 months.
New figures from the local good cause show that they distributed 3535 sets of three-day food packs between last April and the end of March this year – compared to 1617 in the preceding year.
Its volunteers believe that the staggering 118 per cent increase in demand is the result of “continued issues with benefit payments [including] universal credit, insecure work, closure of local charities offering crisis support, and lack or reduction of available local government support”.
Foodbank umbrella organisation the Trussell Trust is echoing the concerns about benefit levels contributing to the increasing number of referrals, noting that “low income” accounted for an increased 28 per cent of referrals nationwide in the past 12 months and adding: “Analysis demonstrates it has significantly increased since April 2016, suggesting an urgent need to look at the adequacy of current benefit levels.”
One-third of Airdrie’s supplies went to children, accounting for 1064 of the parcels distributed; while members of the Monklands public donated 26 tonnes of food during the 12-month period.
Foodbank manager David Findlay said: “We share the concerns of other foodbanks in full Universal Credit rollout areas, highlighted in the new Trussell Trust report about the difficulties some people are experiencing.
“We have provided emergency food and support to people needing help due to the adverse impact of the initial wait, lack of available statutory support, inability of Universal Credit payments to cover the cost of living, and poor administration.
“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, it’s possible to see an end to people needing emergency food.”
As well as the thousands of donations of non- perishable food items, supporters donated a combined total of £4000 in funds during the past 12 months to help meet its annual running costs – for its warehouse, distribution van, utilities and insurance.
The month of April 2018 alone saw more than 300 people receive assistance from Airdrie foodbank, which will mark its fourth anniversary in August.
David added: “We don’t want to be here forever – no-one in Monklands should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.
“Until that time, however, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.
“We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support, and that has only been possible in the past year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds.”
Figures from the Trussell Trust cited benefit delays and changes as the main reasons for referral in 20172018 – leading the charity to call for “benefit levels to be uprated to ensure payments keep pace with the cost of living, particularly for disabled people and families”.
It also seeks support for all those starting Universal Credit claims; and “an urgent inquiry into poor administration, so errors such as incorrect payments can be tackled”.
Trussell Trust foodbanks distributed more than 1.3 million emergency parcels over the past 12 months, and chief executive Emma Revie said: “Illness, disability, family breakdown or the loss of a job could happen to any of us, and we owe it to each other to make sure sufficient financial support is in place when we need it most.
“It’s hard to break free from hunger if there isn’t enough money coming in to cover the rising cost of absolute essentials like food and housing. It’s completely unacceptable that anyone is forced to turn to a foodbank as a result.”
Airdrie foodbank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting its work can email www.airdrie.foodbank. org.uk.