Thank you so much for all your support over the last year. We really appreciate everything you continue to do so we can ensure make the greatest possible difference to people experiencing hardship in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
On Wednesday 26 April, the Trussell Trust released their End of Year stats. They include shocking new figures which reveal that that almost 3 million (2,986,203) emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship. In our area, 8,883 emergency food parcels were provided to local people who couldn’t afford the essentials between April 2022 and March 2023 – 3,237 of these went to children.
This isn’t right and we know things don’t have to be this way. As we reflect on these extraordinary times together, we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone for your generous donations of time, food and money.
Together, we are united by care and compassion, committed to doing everything we can to support people facing impossible decisions.
And we’re proud to be working alongside food banks in the Trussell Trust network to push for the long-term changes that will mean everyone can lead fulfilled lives, free from financial hardship.
That’s why, together with the Trussell Trust, we are calling for MPs across the UK to support a social security system that guarantees our essentials, by making sure that the basic rate of Universal Credit is at least enough to afford the essentials we all need.
If you would like to take part and find out more, please visit www.trusselltrust.org/essentials.
While we do that longer-term work, your support continues to be crucial. As we navigate these challenging times together, we would:
- Encourage you to please reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to support you through this difficult time – you can get in contact with us by calling 0300 102 9088.
- Encourage you to please donate food/toiletries money via our collection points – please check our website/social media channels to see what items are needed most right now.
- Encourage you to please follow our social media channels and look out for further updates on how we can best support people struggling to afford the essentials.
- Ask that you hold us in your thoughts and join us in our vision for a society where no one needs emergency food to get by and everyone can afford the essentials we need to live.
- Encourage you to please continue having conversations with your friends, family and neighbours about the impossible decisions that people visiting the food bank are facing and how they can help us over the coming months.
Thank you for all that you’re doing.
The Foodbank Team