How are people going to cope?
Almost all food banks helping first-time users as demand surges
Some 98% of food banks are helping people seeking support for the first time, alarming new data has revealed, as the cost of living crisis “forces people to turn to charity”.
Findings released by the Independent Food Aid Network today have exposed the shocking extent of food poverty in the UK.
IFAN surveyed 69 organisations running 173 independent food banks across England, Scotland and Wales. Nearly eight in ten organisations saw demand for their services increase comparing August to October 2023 with the same period last year – yet 73% reported a drop in donations.
This double whammy is taking a huge toll; Four in ten organisations have struggled to support people due to a lack of resources and the same number fear they won’t have the capacity to meet rising demand.