Food banks run low in cost crisis

VOLUNTEERS helping hungry families in Birmingham could run out of food as the cost of living crisis bites, they say.

Trussell Trust Workers at Aston and Nechells foodbank said warehouse stocks were being depleted.

Bosses say a combination of skyhigh demand and usual donors having less money to spare has left them in a difficult position.

The foodbank opened in 2011 and helped 3,515 people in crisis with emergency food supplies from April 2019 to April 2020.

Suzi Lea, the food bank’s coordinator, said the scrapping of the Universal Credit uplift, fuel costs and inflation were hurting both people reliant on the service and those who donate food. “The fuel increase is hitting people hard,” Ms Lea said. “We’re seeing increased numbers at the food bank. As time goes on it’s going to affect our donors as well.”

Ms Lea said donations were starting to run low and there was a possibility the centre could eventually run out of food.

She said it was not in that position quite yet although “none of us can see into the future”.

She added: “Our donors are on low incomes. The fuel increase is going to be affecting them.”

Inflation is rising and a new energy price cap has seen household bills increase dramatically. Experts have warned the crisis could plunge many into poverty and force some households to choose between adequately heating their homes and eating.

Benefit claims have also increased, with some Birmingham neighbourhoods seeing double the number of people seeking state support.

There were even reports people were leaving potatoes at foodbanks because they could not afford to cook them.

Ms Lea said: “We need long-life food only. We don’t provide fresh produce like potatoes. But it is something we’re aware of. We have started to think about how long it takes to cook a pie compared to heating up a tin of food.”