The cost of living has been at crisis point for quite some time now, and people up and down the country are struggling. As a result, the demand for food banks is exceptionally high.

According to recent data from the Independent Food Aid Network, nearly eight out of 10 organisations saw an increase in demand for the help they provide when comparing August to October of this year to the same period in 2022. Among the most likely to need a food bank are those with a disability or health condition, families with children and single parents. 

Food banks provide more than just food. As representatives from The Trussell Trust say, its food banks are also places where people can go to be listened to by volunteers who don’t just help them feel heard and seen, but can also put them in touch with other people who can help them with issues they’re facing, such as financial worries, debt and more. 

To help raise awareness of the myths that food banks still need to shake off, here are four that The Trussell Trust is keen to debunk.

Myth 1: you have to be unemployed to access a food bank

False: one in five people who use a food bank also have a job at the time, but their pay is so low that it isn’t enough to cover everything they need to live.

Myth 2: fewer members of the public are donating to food banks

False: the number of donations have been receiving has remained stable compared to last year. It’s the increase in need that’s the problem, as it’s led to the vast majority of food banks needing to buy stock to keep up with demand. A recent survey of 282 food banks showed that 93% have needed to purchase food in the last three months to handle the rise in demand at a time when prices are higher than ever. Around 23% of the stock in the network was purchased between April to September this year, compared to 15% for the same period in 2022 and just 1% in 2021.

Myth 3: you can only access a food bank three times

False: as representatives from The Trussell Trust say: “We are keen to make sure that anyone who needs help can receive it.” If a person does need to use a food bank more than three times in 6 months, the food bank’s volunteers will help the person get support and guidance in a bid to get them out of the poverty they’re in.

Myth 4: people come back to food banks again and again and abuse the system

False: Trussell Trust data shows that 60% of the people who have used a food bank in its network have done so once between April and September this year and, on average, people will use a food bank slightly more than twice. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, and these food banks will do what they can to support people so they never have to rely on their help again.

Images: The Trussell Trust