In 2020-21, approximately 2.5 million people used a food bank in the United Kingdom, over 600,000 more than the previous year. During the start of the pandemic, around half of people who used a food bank had never needed one before. In comparison to a decade previously (2010-11) where 61,500 people received 3 days worth of emergency food by Trussell Trust foodbanks, it is clear the usage of food banks has risen enormously.

 

It seems that the rise coincides with the global coronavirus pandemic and the lockdowns of the past 2 years. Fiona, a volunteer at a food bank in South East London, explores some of the reasons behind this spike. "We are increasingly seeing people who would not formerly have relied on food banks due to many factors: job losses during Covid, cost of living rising due to inflation and wages not matching this, cuts to their benefits like Job Seeker's Allowance, long waits for universal credit and sudden loss of income."

 

Additionally, in the past there has been stigma around the usage of food banks, but now Fiona counters that, "Volunteers locally have a non-judgemental attitude that has meant those using food banks are not made to feel ashamed and made to feel supported. Food banks are also able to respond to people's needs promptly with less bureaucracy or conditions."

 

Food banks play an increasingly crucial role in alleviating hunger and poverty for millions, especially in troubled times such as during the pandemic, when so many people saw a change in their usual circumstances. There is clearly a call for government at all levels across the UK to commit to developing a plan to end the need for food banks once and for all.