Food banks ‘choosing up the slack’ for the federal government | EUROtoday

On May 24, 2025

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Catherine Doyle

BBC News Me

Deirdre, from west Belfast, says meals banks are “picking up the slack” for the federal government

Deirdre A woman smiles into the camera. She's in a restaurant. She's wearing a silver necklace with a small heart shaped dropping from a crescent moon and a black top over a beige vanity top. She has shoulder-length blond hair. — Deirdre, from west Belfast, says meals banks are “picking up the slack” for the federal government

A single mom, from west Belfast, has stated she does not understand how her “youngsters would have been fed” without food banks.

It comes after the anti-poverty charity Trussell Trust launched annual figures displaying a 71% enhance within the variety of emergency meals parcels distributed in Northern Ireland previously yr in comparison with 5 years in the past.

The figures present that greater than 77,000 parcels have been offered by meals banks to folks “facing hunger” in Northern Ireland over the previous yr. The charity says it is equal to “one parcel every seven minutes”.

Deirdre, a mom of two, stated meals banks have been “a lifeline” for her.

‘I did not know what to do’

The charity says the figures must be a “wake-up call” for the native and UK governments

Getty Images A man wearing glasses is looking down at a box filled with canned food. He is wearing a bright yellow jacket and holding one of the cans. Trees are above him. — The charity says the figures must be a “wake-up call” for the native and UK governments

Deirdre stated she had labored since she was 15 and had three jobs to get herself by way of college, however turned to meals banks after “having to come out of my professional job”.

“It was very embarrassing,” she stated.

She used to donate to meals banks earlier than having to show to them for assist.

“Little did I know that I would ever be in a position where I was going to be one of them people,” she stated.

“It was at a stage in my life where I didn’t know what to do”.

‘Not stunned’

Deirdre says “Nobody knows the situation they’re ever going to face” which may result in going to a meals financial institution for assist

Deirdre A woman smiles into the camera. She's wearing silver earrings and wearing a black jacket. She has blond hair. — Deirdre says “Nobody knows the situation they’re ever going to face” which may result in going to a meals financial institution for assist

The figures from Trussell present “significant” numbers of fogeys “struggling to afford the essentials”.

There has been a 68% rise in households with youngsters needing emergency meals, since 2019/20, and a 47% rise in parcels to help youngsters underneath the age of 5.

The charity stated many meals banks are reporting “severe levels of hardship”, with some dad and mom rationing their very own meals to feed their youngsters.

While the organisation has seen a lower within the complete variety of emergency meals parcels distributed in comparison with the earlier yr, they stated “the need for emergency food is still persistently high”.

Deirdre stated folks do not realise that “the working poor are still in need of food banks”.

“Nobody knows the situation they’re ever going to face.

“Nobody is aware of whether or not or not you are going to lose a job. Nobody is aware of whether or not or not your psychological well being may change. Nobody is aware of what acquired you to the stage the place you’ll must avail of a meals financial institution.”

Deirdre added that she’s “actually not stunned” by the number of people relying on food banks and called on the policy makers to do something.

She said there should not be a “want for meals banks” adding that charities are “choosing up the slack” for the government.

“All these choices that persons are making about cuts… are being made by individuals who haven’t skilled what now we have skilled,” she stated.

Deidre added: “I do not understand how my youngsters would have been fed” without food banks.

“I used to be too embarrassed to go to relations.”

Without this help, Deirdre said: “I most likely would have made certain they have been okay and I wasn’t.”

“That’s the stark actuality of the society that we reside in as we speak.”

‘Massive wake-up name’

Fiona Cole, from Trussell, says “A complete technology has now grown up in a rustic the place sustained excessive ranges of meals financial institution want feels just like the norm”

Getty Images A woman's arms are in frame. She is holding a tin of food. Beside her is a cardboard box of food in tins and glass jars. — Fiona Cole, from Trussell, says “A complete technology has now grown up in a rustic the place sustained excessive ranges of meals financial institution want feels just like the norm”

Fiona Cole, policy manager in Northern Ireland at Trussell, said: “A complete technology has now grown up in a rustic the place sustained excessive ranges of meals financial institution want feels just like the norm.

“This should be a massive wake-up call to government.”

“We urgently need the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver on the original ambition for an anti-poverty strategy.”

She added: “The Westminster government will fail to improve living standards unless it rows back on its harmful policy choices on disability benefits, support for children, and housing support.”

‘It’s not proper’

Local meals financial institution supervisor Ken Scott says “food donations are not keeping up with the level of need we are seeing”

Getty Images A blue crate of food, including cereal and cans. A woman is in the background. — Local meals financial institution supervisor Ken Scott says “food donations are not keeping up with the level of need we are seeing”

Ken Scott, supervisor of Bangor Foodbank and Community Support, stated: “Our food bank is seeing far too many people who are forced to need our help.

“Food donations will not be maintaining with the extent of want we’re seeing, and that is placing us underneath loads of pressure.

“It’s not right that anyone should be forced to turn to charity for emergency food,” he added.

The Trussell Trust says many meals banks are reporting “severe levels of hardship”

Trussell Two women are holding boxes of fresh food. Bananas, cabbages and broccoli are in boxes. — The Trussell Trust says many meals banks are reporting “severe levels of hardship”

Deirdre stated the rationale persons are going to meals banks is “not because we mismanage money. It’s not because we can’t budget. It’s because there isn’t enough to budget.”

“Universal Credit is not enough to live on.”

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xx1gn8xwo