More Islanders relying on emergency food banks

Monday 24 February 2014

Dozens of Islanders are having to rely on emergency food banks and the demand for them is continuing to grow according to a charity that looks after people in need.

The head of the Grace Trust says that around 26 people come to their base in Minden Place every week because they are struggling to put food on the table.

The charity helps the most vulnerable and needy in the Island and they are calling out for food donations to pass on to the growing number of people who cannot afford to feed themselves.

National media reports suggest malnutrition is a becoming a growing problem in the UK and around one-in-six GPs have been asked to refer patients to a food bank in the past year. A report at the end of last week said that a combination of low incomes, unemployment and benefit delays had led to a surge in demand at food banks. Also last week, a letter signed by 27 Anglican Bishops blamed Prime Minister David Cameron for creating a “national crisis” that has seen more than half a million people visit food banks since last Easter.

In Jersey, The Grace Trust’s General Manager Gerry Padden said more and more people are being referred from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Social Services and the Social Security department.

Mr Padden said: “Demand is going to continue to grow, there are more and more people losing their jobs, they need to create jobs in the Island.”

The charity runs a food basket scheme and their baskets are filling up in churches, schools and parish halls around the Island.  But they are urging more local businesses to take part and for staff to fill up one of their baskets with non-perishable goods like teabags, rice, pasta, bread and tinned food. Once a basket is full, the charity collects it and makes sure it gets to those most in need.

Meanwhile Mr Padden said the number of families receiving the charity’s monthly grocery deliveries has more than doubled in the last six years. Volunteers are helping to deliver bags of food to 70 households each month who are struggling to make ends meet.

Anyone who can help with donated food, or any workplaces that want to collect food to support The Grace Trust’s work should contact Mr Padden on 631667.