Portsmouth foodbank express fears over increasing food prices and household bills
A Portsmouth foodbank has highlighted concerns the cost of living is having on their clients, as well as the management of their charity.
King’s Church Foodbank works in partnership with churches across the city in Paulsgrove and Portsea, to offer local people access to emergency food.
The foodbank saw an increase from 9,000 people per year, to 30,000 during the Covid-19 pandemic. In January and March, the number of families fed by the foodbank increased from 45 per week, to 45 families a day.
Sam Hanson, 31, volunteer at King’s Church Foodbank, said: “We are already seeing a massive rise in the number of people visiting us and the main reason that people give for coming is that they just don’t have enough money to make ends meet.”
The surge in the costs of fuel, energy and food are placing an increased pressure on household budgets. The national living wage, although increasing, is failing to keep up with rising inflation at 7%.
Sam, said: “We can’t keep propping up the government’s benefit system by feeding those that need it most indefinitely.”
The foodbank stresses that although they can survive healthily for the next two years, this is not a sustainable model.
As the government continues to face pressure in recent weeks for failing to provide enough support to low-income households, King’s Church Foodbank stresses the importance of continuing to lobby local Members of Parliament.
One foodbank client, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I’m trying not to put my heating on, I’ve put on layers and layers of clothes and I’m not putting my cooker on. I’m just really struggling at the moment.”