Child poverty action call as three million now using food banks
The number of emergency parcels handed by a major food bank charity has topped more than three million in a single year.
The Trussell Trust food bank network said the figures had risen for packages for both adults and children and the total is now almost double that of five years ago.
The charity’s data shows it distributed 3,121,404 food parcels in the year to to the end of March – 1,977,308 for adults and 1,144,096 for children.
The charity said the number of first-time users – 655,000 – was down slightly on last year but up 40% from five years ago.
Parcels going to households that had someone of pension age living there were up by more than a quarter (27%) to 179,000, the organisation said, adding that older people, especially renters, were "finding themselves unable to afford essentials and facing hunger and severe hardship".
The Trussell Trust has called on political parties to commit, ahead of a general election, to tackling the problem – urging them to back a "supportive social security system" and better support for parents, carers and people with disabilities who can face increased living costs.
Chief executive Emma Revie, said: "It's 2024 and we're facing historically high levels of need for food banks.
“As a society, we cannot allow this to continue. We must not let food banks become the new norm.
"As we approach the next UK General Election, we urgently need all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive.”
She added: “Voters want to see a change and we need cross-government action at all levels to deliver it. We know what's pushing people to food banks, so we know what needs to change."
Separately, the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) said the amount of money donated to food bank charities has increased by half year-on-year – with their research estimating the public gave almost £1billion last year.
The CAF said people donated £973million to food banks in 2023, up from £635million the previous year.
While the number of donors choosing to support food banks has remained consistent year-on-year, people have been giving more, it said – with the average donation increasing by £10, from £22 in 2022 to £32 last year.
Neil Heslop, CAF chief executive, said: "Even when times are tough, it's heartwarming to see how people respond generously to support charities around the UK providing for more and more
We must not let food banks become the new norm
families. For those who can't afford to give more, volunteering your time or donating goods is also a crucial way to help charities."
The Government said its cost of living support package had prevented 1.3 million people falling into poverty in 2022-23 and reiterated that it was "raising the National Living Wage, cutting taxes and driving down inflation while investing billions through our Back to Work Plan".