Between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2018, 1396 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people in crisis by Devizes Foodbank, compared to 1121 in the previous year. Of this number, 568 went to children.
We believe the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments; issues with Universal Credit in the area; insecure work; closure of local charities offering crisis support; lack/reduction in available local government support.
As part of a national network campaigning for change, the foodbank is working hard to offer practical emergency support to help prevent people affected going hungry, whilst simultaneously participating in vital research and raising awareness about the issues local people are facing.
Liz Starling, Project Manager of Devizes Foodbank said:
“We don’t want to be here forever. No one in Devizes and the surrounding area 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 – with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials, this is possible. But until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most – we’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support, and that has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.”
The running costs for the foodbank are around £15,000 a year, all of which is raised locally to enable them to continue their work. Costs include a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances. 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 https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/devizesfoodbank.