FOODBANK BAILS OUT KIDS’XMAS
Numbers have more than doubled in three years
Hundreds of children throughout Hamilton are relying on the town’s foodbank to avoid going hungry.
Shocking figures released this week show that Hamilton District Foodbank supported 559 youngsters during December.
The heartbreaking statistic was revealed as the foodbank confirmed it had supported 1335 people throughout the month – a figure that has more than doubled over the last three years.
Isobel Graham, manager of Hamilton District Foodbank, told the Advertiser: “We want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.
“It doesn’t need to be this way.”
Shocking figures released this week have revealed over 550 children were supported by Hamilton District Foodbank this Christmas.
Throughout the month of December 1335 people were assisted with food, toiletries and festive items – and 559 of those were kids.
This year, the foodbank had an increase of 232 service users in the build-up to Christmas, compared to last year’s figure of 1103.
This included feeding 84 more children in December 2019 than in 2018.
By comparison, the foodbank helped 714 people throughout December 2017, and 572 in December 2016 – more than doubling their figures in the last three years.
The Trussell Trust, who runs the UK’S network of foodbanks, believes the increase is due to “people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments, issues with Universal Credit such as the five-week wait, and insecure work”.
Isobel Graham, manager of Hamilton District Foodbank, told the Advertiser: “No one in Hamilton district should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.
“It doesn’t have to be this way – our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty.
“Universal Credit should be part of the solution, but currently the five-week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.
“Until we reach a future where foodbanks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.
“We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support.
“Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds.” The running costs for the foodbank are raised locally to enable them to continue their work.
“Costs include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food and other overheads like utilities and insurances.
Isobel added: “Thank you so much to everyone who donated their time, food and money to help local people.
“Tackling poverty and providing the services of the foodbank is crucial to our community.”
The foodbank welcomes any new offers of help with funding, local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the foodbank’s work can find out more at hamiltondistrict.foodbank.org.uk
Donations can be dropped off at the foodbank’s bases in Townhead Street, the Nazarene Hall in Blantyre and the Salvation Army centre on Burnblea Street.
Distribution centre opening times: The Nazarene Hall, Elm Street, Blantyre, Tuesday and Thursday, 11am till 2pm; 22 Townhead Street, Hamilton, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, noon till 2pm; and The Salvation Army, Burnblea Street, Hamilton, Monday, 11am till 2pm.
For more information, call the foodbank on 07884 451512 or email info@hamiltondistrict. foodbank.org.uk.