Food banks 'could be forced to turn people away'

Food banks in the West of England could be forced to turn people away as they struggle with cuts to local funding, a survey reports.

Neighbourly, which helps businesses donate time and resources to groups in need, says that 41% of the charities they surveyed, including food banks, are unable to meet demand.

Charities in Bristol also say more people have come to them for help, which means they have to turn some away.

Donna Sealey at Ambition Lawrence Weston, a Bristol community support organisation, said: “We are seeing an increase in uptake of activities where a free hot meal is provided."

She added: "During the school holidays we can see up to 100 people attending a session, which impacts on us as an organisation in being able to provide hot meals for all.

"We have also seen an increase in demand for the food pantry and our community fridge.”

Joanna Burt, from the Pill and District Food Hub, said it is going to struggle to keep up with the demand, especially during the school holidays.

"By the time we get to the people at the end of the queue we might have run out of fruit and vegetables - we won't be able to give them what they want," she said.

Ms Burt added that the increase in demand was due to the cost-of-living crisis hitting everyone, even working families.

"There's a general fear, for families in particular, who are struggling to feed their children," she said.

"We've seen a change of people who come to us. It's not just people on benefits - it's families, pensioners and people with disabilities."

Food was found to be the highest need in the Neighbourly survey, ahead of toiletries and personal care products.

The survey is published at a time when community groups and charities in the West expect current issues to worsen further.

"If the last few weeks are anything to go by, it's going to be harder and harder for us to get what we need from our suppliers," Ms Burt said.

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: “Our survey findings show how many people are struggling day to day and being overlooked in the current system."

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