I grew up in a village in Scotland, and some of my earliest memories are of our community coming together to help one another in times of need. This experience of the power of community drives me today, to work alongside our food banks to make sure that no one goes hungry because they can’t afford food.

Everyone in the UK should be able to afford the essentials: to buy their own food and heat their homes. Yet, people coming to food banks are telling us they are unable to turn the heating on and are skipping meals so they can feed their children. Food banks in our network are set to face their hardest winter yet, and we expect that our network will distribute over 1 million food parcels between December and February. This equates to one parcel being provided every eight seconds. In the time it takes you to read this article, approximately 22 people will have received a parcel. This is not right.

The problem is only getting worse. In the past six months, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed more than 1,496,847 emergency food parcels to people across the UK. That’s enough for everyone in Sheffield and Liverpool to have one – with almost 550,000 of these going directly to children. These six months are sadly not a one-off; for the last five years the number of parcels distributed has been rising at an alarming rate and, unless something changes, this is going to continue. 

Earlier this year, I visited a food bank and spoke to a food bank volunteer who delivered an emergency food parcel to a family who couldn’t walk to the food bank due to the distance and lack of public transport. They had specifically requested food that didn’t need to be cooked as they couldn’t afford to turn their heating on, and they were all sleeping in one room for warmth. This is here, in our communities.

That same food bank had started to give out hot water bottles and gloves to the people who came in so they were warm enough to get through the night. This is just one example of the work we do, and the harrowing experiences of people having to turn to food banks stays with me, always. It isn’t only food that people can’t afford but accommodation, heating, and the energy required to cook food – the essentials. In our country, in this day and age, this isn’t good enough.

Extraordinarily, 320,000 of the people who visited food banks in the last six months across the UK did so for the first time. That’s nearly the entire population of Cardiff walking through the doors of a food bank for the first time.

This demonstrates the scale of the challenge we are facing as we fight to tackle hunger.

The Trussell Trust is a network of food banks right across the country. We work in the heart of communities, supporting our neighbours. Our volunteers see first-hand when people aren’t coping and can work round the clock to make sure people receive the support they need.  

No one should have to use a food bank. We know with the right support and a stable and sufficient income people wouldn’t need emergency food aid or need to turn to food banks for support. But for as long as people do need us, we will be there.

Times are tough for everyone, but I know the generosity of the UK public knows no bounds, and if you’re able to support then I hope beyond hope that this winter you can donate to your local food bank to ensure that in these cold months and in these dark times, no one goes without a meal.

Keen to help but not sure how? Here are some ways to lend a hand… 

Donate food

You can donate food directly to your local food bank (which you can find here) or at collection points in supermarkets. Some online supermarkets also allow you to add items to your regular shop to be sent directly to food banks. 

It’s worth checking on your local food bank’s website to see which specific items they’re most in need of, but in general, the below items are a great shout. Just make sure the items are in good condition and in date. 

• UHT milk
• Tinned meat (hotdogs, meatballs etc.)
• Tinned fish
• Tinned fruit
• Sponge/rice puddings
• Coffee (small jars)
• Long-life juice
• Pasta sauce
• Tinned veg (potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomatoes)
• Tinned meals (spaghetti, chicken or veg curries, chilli)
• Tinned soup
• Jam and spreads

Donate goods

The Trussell Trust has 11 shops, two of which are online, run by a small team of staff and volunteers. These shops generate funds to help the charity support people facing hardship and campaign to end the need for emergency food. You can donate these items:

• Good quality clothes, shoes, belts, bags, hats and jewellery
• Good quality bric-a-brac
• Books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl records 
• Toys, puzzles and games
• Working electrical goods 
• Good quality furniture

Please contact the charity before bringing your items by emailing retailenquiries@trusselltrust.org.

Donate money

You can make a financial donation to support The Trussell Trust in helping those in need. Either make a one-off donation or set up a regular payment. 

Images: Chris Lacey Photography; The Trussell Trust