Did you know there are over 40 foodbanks and community larders in Lincolnshire, including: Deepings, Gainsborough, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford?
People using the food banks had risen from nearly 1,600 in May 2019 to 7,216 in May 2020 (and this may still be an under-estimate) – an increase of 450%. The biggest increase has been in Gainsborough where it is over 1,300%.
Whilst most rely on volunteers, many are finding it harder to cover their running costs. One needs a new vehicle for pickup and delivery. Another needs a new kitchen. At the same time, money donations have fallen as we’re discouraged from handling cash. And bidding for funds is more competitive: more are facing financial hardship.
Securing sufficient food has also become a bigger challenge – nationally some food banks have had to close because of supply shortages. And finding volunteers is an increasing problem as older folk self-isolate.
If you are able to offer any help to these initiatives, just look up your nearest one – they will always be grateful for donations of food (and money) and of your time to help distribute it.
You can locate your nearest foodbank, community larder and other organisations tackling food poverty here, and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated.
And get in touch if you are struggling to track down a nearby foodbank. It won’t be far away.
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