Worcester Foodbank expects demand to increase despite record levels last year
They're now stockpiling food so they can keep families fed
Worcester Foodbank says they're expecting demand to continue to increase despite record levels last year.
November and December were their busiest two months since they opened eight years ago.
In December alone they fed 1,300 people - and provided up to 15,000 meals to people in Worcestershire.
The number of children they've been feeding has also increased from about a third of their output to around 40%.
Despite these record levels, donations of food have surged from people in the community which are up by around 40-45%.
Grahame Lucas, Manager of Worcester Foodbank, said:
"There is a time coming where the level of redundancies, the level of food poverty and hunger has been increasing and we haven't seen the last of it yet.
"The way the economy is going we know there are going to be really really difficult times ahead.
"How much longer will individuals or the companies and organisations which support them be able to continue.
Although the foodbank have been busier than ever, the team are predicting demand to continue to rise as the impact of lockdown continues.
A storehouse of food has now been established to enable them to stockpile food to endure the months ahead.
From March, struggling families will see the £20 increase in Universal Credit come to an end which is causing concern for the foodbank.
Grahame continued:
"Although Universal Credit is an issue for many families, we've realised that actually it's families on low incomes who do tend to struggle the most.
"They need a household income which enables them to buy the food they need, pay the bills that they need so that they can live with some degree of dignity.
"People need just a basic income to be able to afford just the basics of life".