Who would think that it’s just a mere twenty years since the first foodbank opened in Salisbury?
Who could have thought that what was started in Salisbury would go on to become a service found in every town across the land?
Who imagined back then that foodbanks would be the emergency service that gets millions of people through times of difficulty?
Last year foodbanks across the country, both Trussell Trust and many others, provided meals to about 1.9 million people. Year on year we have seen increases in the numbers who find themselves in need of extra support through periods of crisis and struggle. It doesn’t take much to break a household’s ability to cope. Low-paid work on casual or short-term contracts often means that income is never going to be enough to provide the basics. A sudden change can trigger a loss of benefit support that plunges a family deeper into poverty.
This year the pandemic and lockdowns added even more stress on foodbank services.
Many volunteers had to self-isolate and could not do their regular shifts. Donations dropped while we were not able to leave the usual few items at the supermarket or church collection points. Many buildings used to store and distribute food parcels, proved unsuitable for safe working practice and distancing. And the need soared, especially among self-employed people and those who were unable access delivery services.
But the people who run our foodbanks are wonderfully creative and highly committed to what they do. New ways of working started to fall into place. Local supermarkets have been incredibly generous and kept supplies flowing. Cash donations meant that provisions could be bought in bulk. Foodbanks with surplus have been able to share with other projects. Some foodbanks moved premises, others took over additional space in church buildings. Links were made with community support groups and food delivered to those who needed it. New foodbanks emerged in areas with particularly high levels of need. Community Foundations and our own Diocesan Social Welfare Fund provided grant funding. Foodbanks have proved resilient in their own moment of crisis.
As we look beyond the pandemic this must be a moment when we make a new commitment to ending poverty in the United Kingdom. Trussell Trust and IFAN, the network of independent foodbanks, have launched the campaign for a Hunger Free Future. If people who struggle are to have real hope then we must build the sort of society that has no need of foodbanks. Let’s back the campaign to break the cycle of destitution, and become people of true Advent hope in our world.
Colin Brady 