Foodbank latest - from Harriet Hadfield's 5 stories

Published 12:00 on 23 Jan 2022

As we start to come out of the other side of the Covid pandemic, I wanted to reflect on an Island lifeline which has seen a huge increase in need over the past two years, as lockdowns have taken their toll on the most vulnerable families among us. The Isle of Wight Foodbank has shared some figures with 5-Stories which show an almost 40% increase in the number of adults and children needing support this last Christmas season compared with December 2020. The charity says a double whammy of the loss of seasonal work, the end of furlough and the universal credit uplift hit some families hard, and a massive 1363 adults and children needed help at the end of last year. Thankfully this need was more than matched by the generosity and organisation of Islanders everywhere. The Foodbank says: "We are unable to mention every kind and generous soul that donates, helping to support local people in crisis, but we would like to thank you all! A million times thank you. We do not receive any government funding so we depend on the kindness of our Island community."  From Harriet Hadfield's 5 stories. To read more pieces or subscribe, click here.