Food bank use surges as campaigners call for action on poverty

The Trussell Trust has reported a 69% rise in food bank usage compared to five years ago, with over 1.4 million emergency food parcels distributed between April and September this year—508,000 of which went to children.

While slightly fewer parcels were given out than last year, food bank reliance remains alarmingly high, driven by rising living costs and stagnant incomes. Campaigners are urging the government to stop normalising charity as a response to poverty and to ensure benefits cover basic needs.

Trussell and other groups propose introducing a minimum universal credit level and an “essentials guarantee” to protect families from hunger. They are calling for swift and decisive government action to end reliance on emergency food services.

Food banks continue to serve as a critical lifeline, with calls for public support through volunteering, donations, and advocacy to help combat hunger this winter.

To read more, please click here: https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/food-banks-first-time-users-trussell/

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