COVENTRY foodbank has received a £1,000 cash boost from city MP Zarah Sultana amid ‘falling donations and rising demand for services.’
The Coventry South MP launched a campaign crowdfunder last March, with 20 per cent of all donations being redistributed to the Foodbank.
So far, £13,000 has been raised, enough to feed almost 8,500 Coventry children.
Then on Saturday, Ms Sultana joined the foodbank in Coventry city centre to support the ‘guarantee the essentials’ campaign.
The campaign calls on the government to ensure the basic rate of Universal Credit is enough to afford essentials like food, household bills and travel costs.
The foodbank has already faced unprecedented demand for its service in 2023 while donations have plummeted.
Since the start of the year, the foodbank has been forced to use its cash reserves to buy over 20 tons of food.
Ms Sultana said: “The cost-of-living crisis has hit people in Coventry hard.
“Families across the city struggle to pay the bills, with parents telling me about having to skip meals so their kids get something to eat.
“That’s why I am so grateful to the team at Coventry Foodbank, who do incredible work to provide a lifeline to those struggling in the city.
“Ultimately, the poverty that scars our society will only be tackled by a government committed to redistributing wealth and power.”
