More than 2,000 children relying on foodbanks in Cumberland

New research has found that the number of emergency food parcels handed out across the UK in a single year has reached its highest level, at more than three million.

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.

There were 3,121,404 parcels distributed by food banks in its network up to the end of March, made up of 1,977,308 for adults and 1,144,096 for children.

The charity said first-time users – of which there were 655,000 in that 12-month period – were down slightly on last year but up 40% from five years ago.

Figures in Cumberland have remained around the same level since 2018, when 6,378 parcels were handed out in total, compared to 6,479 between April 2023 and March 2024. 

From April 1 2023 to March 31 2024, 4473 parcels were handed out to adults, and 2003 were handed out to children across the seven distribution centres in the county. 

After London, the North West is the area that relies most on food parcels, with over 350,000 handed out in total last year, compared to just under 200,000 in 2017/18. 

The Carlisle Foodbank were boosted by generous donations from the local community in the build-up to Christmas, but now find themselves struggling to provide enough as we approach the summer.

Steph Humes, manager of Carlisle Foodbank said: "We are extremely low on donations, we really would urge people go on to and download the free 'bank the food' app to find out exactly what we need and if possible, add one extra tin or donation into that donation box. It really does make a difference.

"The majority of the people we are seeing at the foodbank at the minute are struggling with general cost of living. They are not receiving enough income. We provide a three-day emergency food parcel for anyone in a crisis."

The foodbank even hosted its first ever fundraiser towards the end of 2023, bringing in more than £1200, but they are always in need of donations from the local community.

Carlisle Foodbank, like many foodbanks across the country, are desperate for donations (Image: Supplied)

Naomi Winter, Community Food Members (CFM) coordinator for FareShare, spoke earlier this month about how the charity, which operates in Lancashire and Cumbria and supplies food to 51 groups in Cumbria, is struggling to keep up due to the increasing number of local charities seeking to provide support to people in need.

She said: "It is hard to meet demand because it is ever-increasing. One of our aims is to reduce food waste, and as supermarkets work to do the same, they’ve got better at ordering the right volumes, which means they then have less surplus, which is the stock we survive on.

“At the same time, need within communities is increasing as more people struggle to make ends meet and turn to charities or community groups for help.

"Our other aim is to tackle food poverty though, so we continue to do our absolute best to meet each of our member groups’ needs.

“We’re grateful for any donation we receive, big or small – it will feed someone in need."

Alston Moor foodbank, which was first set up about nine years ago, stressed that they have seen a significant increase in users in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. 

They don't have food storage, but instead work using monetary donations, which they use to buy food for those in need from the local co-op. 

The charity also wants to reduce the stigma around relying on foodbanks, and encouraged people to come forward should they need any help, with the reassurance that things can be done discreetly should anyone wish. 

They said: "We really take care to make sure that the confidentiality is upheld. If people don't want us to deliver to their house, then we can arrange to meet them elsewhere.

"People are definitely struggling. But there is still an element of people being too proud. Unless they are absolutely desperate, they don't come. They need to know that their cupboards don't need to be totally bare before you come. There shouldn't be a stigma attached to it."

Some of the bags of shopping provided by Alston Moor foodbank (Image: Supplied)

North Lakes Foodbank, a Cockermouth-based charity which helps individuals and families in crisis, through the provision of emergency food supplies, also confirmed that their donations have fallen in recent times. 

Like many other foodbanks across the country who are struggling to cope with an increased demand, they suggest that a lack of donations is down to the cost of living crisis. 

And with the summer still to come, when more children will be relying on foodbanks due to the lack of free school meals during the holidays, they are also pleading with the community for as much help as they can give.

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.

Emma Revie, its chief executive, said: “It’s 2024 and we’re facing historically high levels of food bank need. 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.

"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.”