Thousands of food parcels have gone to children in Southend City and Rochford in the last year. Southend Foodbank has confirmed that out of 19,280 emergency food parcels given to those in need, nearly half of them were given to children in 2024.
Cass Francis, Comms & Campaigns Coordinator at Southend Foodbank, said: “The level of need we saw in 2024 has remained very high, with our resources, staff and volunteers being stretched to their limits yet again. The inflation rate may have slowed down, and last April saw some benefits being slightly increased, but families on low incomes are still disproportionately spending most of their incomes on essentials, especially food, energy and transport. So, when prices rise and incomes don’t keep pace, many are left cutting back on essentials – missing meals so their children can eat.
She added: “The support of our community is vital in ensuring that Southend Foodbank can be there for anyone who turns to them for help. Unfortunately, the rising levels of need have had a significant impact on stock levels, and we are having to purchase half of the food we now give out. If people are able, we’d ask that they consider donating food to us on a regular basis.”
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Cass told EssexLive last year: “As a foodbank, we really want to be there for people, but we also really don’t want to be here. If people don’t need us anymore, that’s a win.
Warning about the likelihood of needing to use the foodbank, Cass warned: “Anyone could end up in a foodbank. I’ve spoken to people who had a business before Covid, and a mortgage, and a nice car. Then they’re sitting with everyone else thinking “how did this happen to me?”. A lot of us are only one or two paychecks away from being homeless. It can happen to anyone.”
An app which sprung from an idea by Southend school children, Bank the food App, aims to help those in need. Users of the app choose a foodbank that they would like to support, and it alerts you when walking into a supermarket, reminding you of the things needed at that foodbank right now. The idea came from Southend school children.
A typical 3-day emergency food parcel consists of items such as cereal, tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned meat (chilli, curry, chicken in sauce) and fish, tea, squash, biscuits, UHT milk, pasta, rice and much more.
To find out more about how to support Southend Foodbank, visit their website: southend.foodbank.org.uk/support-us