There has also been a rise in the use of foodbanks in the UK. In 2022/23 approximately 2.99 million people used a foodbank in the UK which was an increase in the previous year from 2.56 million.
It is estimated that between April 2022 - March 2023 the number of people that used a foodbank for the first time was 760,000. December 2022 was the busiest month on record for food banks according to the Trussell Trust network, with a food parcel being distributed every 8 seconds.
More than a million of these parcels went to children. Foodbanks are increasing. The continued increase in parcel numbers over the past few years indicates that is the ongoing low levels of income and a social security system that isn`t fit for purpose that are forcing more people to access foodbanks rather than the recent cost-of-living crisis or the COVID pandemic.
One in five people referred to a foodbank in the Trussell Trust network are from working households. Foodbanks are supporting an increasing number of people who are working but still can not afford the essentials which is leading to foodbanks having to change their opening times so people can pick up food outside of working hours.
Mounting debts can trap people in poverty and force them to rely on food banks while disabilities and mental health problems make it harder for people to afford the food they need.
Waiting for the Foodbank to Open
"Memories"
The two women coughed their lungs out of their throats Disembodied in cardboard and dirty coats.
Squatting in a doorway like litter on the street
As the wind blew around decaying concrete.
Victorian streets pointing to the city,
The retch of despair heaved with anonymity
Under buildings on which transience is written:
Passing memories fade, without root and are smitten.
"Like the smiles we left behind"
The hour grows late and dumped across the pavement
Fast food cartons, plastic bottles, night time scents
Splashed across the footpath or up graffitied walls - Drunken revellers - which taint and flavour all.
Work for the road sweeper - fag butts, empty cans
And chip paper beneath cars and white vans.
The two women hide within their own cocoon,
Concealed by cardboard and clouds over the moon.
"That we gave to one another"
The women pass the night with songs and yawning,
Foodbank opens eleven in the morning.
There`s lots of homeless and its limited stock
So they need to get in and don`t have a clock.
Second hand clothes are 50p on the rack;
What they are wearing is soiled and look like sacks.
Now off the grid with memories and regret
So they sang their songs so they would not forget.
"The way we were"
Homeless women, together, now all alone;
Cast off, unwanted, like fast food chicken bones.
The women sang they would do it all again,
Dreams are not litter, cast offs, left to remain,
When the sun rises the road sweeper will come,
The traffic will roar and Moseley Road will hum
But they will be gone - to the welcome foodbank -
It`s here, limited stock, good people to thank.
Ian Henery
Photo Credit - David Moore
Commissioned for The Grid Project
In Search of Urban Happiness
Paths
Web - http://www.thegridproject.org.uk
Facebook - The Grid Project
Insta - @GridProjectUK
X (Twitter) @GridProjectUK
