Massive hike in foodbank use predicted
Universal Credit rollout blamed for increase
Fo o d b a n k use in Renfrewshire is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent within a year, following the rollout of Universal Credit.
The Trussell Trust has noted a significant rise in the number of people using foodbanks across the country in areas where the welfare reform has been introduced.
On average across the country the hike in demand has been 52 per cent and Renfrewshire Foodbank manager Elizabeth Alexander is expecting the situation to be no different locally.
She said: “Foodbanks all over the country in areas of full Universal Credit rollout have experienced a 52 per cent increase in the number of people accessing foodbanks for help.
“We in Renfrewshire have had full rollout beginning September 19 and we are fully expecting by the following year to have experienced a 52 per cent increase.
“It happens very quickly. People find in the first three months that they give out 30 per cent more food than they gave out in the three months before Universal Credit rollout.
“We’re preparing for it by increasing the hours that we’re open so we can accommodate extra people.
“We are continually appealing for food donations, which fortunately have increased every year as the numbers have gone up.
“We also are trying to raise more funds because we have to be here. People are going to need us and we need to make sure we are here to provide them with food.
“So many people come who actually haven’t eaten and if we weren’t able to give them food, they wouldn’t be able to eat at all. It’s absolutely vital.”
Kay Smith, a volunteer at the foodbank, believes the need for the service is growing.
She said: “I think it’s gotten worse, the need for it. It takes so long for people to get their benefits now, so it seems to be worse.
“The devastation, people come in and they’re upset because they’ve got children.
“There’s even people with zero hour contracts and they can’t make ends meet.
“They’ve got so many hours and then they get a phonecall to say ‘no we don’t need you’, which means they have no money and no option but to come in here.”
For more information on Renfrewshire Foodbank, visit renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk
So many people come who haven’t actually eaten