COVENTRY foodbank workers scratching their heads as to why there is a growing need for the service are calling on the Government to reform Universal Credit and ensure essentials are affordable to all.
The calls come amid ‘exponentially’ rising demand and ‘plummeting’ donations, leading to staff hearing more heartbreaking stories of Coventrians needing to use the foodbank for essentials than ever.
Coventry Foodbank is one of over 100 organisations to back the ‘Guarantee Our Essentials Campaign’, with a petition supporting its proposals gaining over 11,000 signatures.
This follows a concerning report by the Trussell Trust, which is co-running the campaign, suggesting one in five people in the country have regularly gone without food over the past year.
The report also found 70 per cent of people now referred to food banks receive Universal Credit, while around 90 per cent of those receiving payments are going without at least one essential like food, a warm home or toiletries.
Since the start of the year, the city’s food bank has been forced to use its cash reserves to buy over 20 tons of food.
Its project manager Dee Ward said: “Food banks should not be needed in this country, it’s wrong, it’s terrible.
“Why should anyone be asking a charity for food, washing powder to wash their child’s school uniform or even a toilet roll because they cannot afford to buy it themselves?
“To afford even these core essential costs a single person £120 a week, however, the basic rate of Universal Credit is just £85 a week.
“We’re proud of the work that we’re doing to help meet the needs of our community, but we don’t want to exist.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Our number one priority is driving down inflation because that will help everyone’s money go further.
“There are nearly two million fewer people in absolute poverty than in 2010, but we know some families are struggling, which is why we are providing record financial support worth around £3,300 per household, raising benefits by over 10 per cent this year and increasing the National Living Wage again.”
The foodbank will be holding open days between 10am and midday on December 9 and 16 at its warehouse on Progress Way, where people will be able to learn more about the campaign.
Visit www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/campaigns/guarantee-our-essentials to sign the petition.
