Worcester Foodbank dishes out record number of food parcels in December
It was their busiest month since starting a decade ago
Last updated 24th Jan 2022
Worcester Foodbank has dished out a record breaking number of food parcels in December.
A total of 1,654 meals were provided to people - the highest number since it began a decade ago.
Donations from the community meant they were able to give 651 toyshop giftcards - worth for thatn £9,700 - to families unable to afford presents for their children at Christmas.
However the charity is warning that a "crisis is looming" as the cost of living is expected to increase which will push people into further financial hardship.
Grahame Lucas, Manager at Worcester Foodbank, said: "These are not the sort of records we want to be breaking and yet we find ourselves sliding into another cost of living crisis that will leave more people at risk of going hungry.
"Our capacity to deal with the rise in demand will have to be constantly reviewed. We may have to open longers hours.
"We've certainly got the resources in terms of finances and food but the workload is going to be something of a real worry."
Concerns are growing every day at Worcester Foodbank about how it will cope with the increase in demand.
They expect this will get worse when the energy price cap will increase in April.
"I think Government have still got a lot of thinking to do", continues Grahame.
"In simple terms, people are going to have to choose between heating and eating and that's just not right. people must have a living household income.
"The benefits system isn't robust at the moment and can't cope with the existing circumstances, let alone where we will be in April."
Worcester Foodbank is also facing the task of finding a new warehouse and distribution premises, with its current Lowesmoor base earmarked for redevelopment.
To find out how you can support and donate to Worcester Foodbank visit www.worcester.foodbank.org.uk.