Christmas is coming and … 600,000 people will need food bank support over three-month period

The run-up to Christmas is challenging for many people, but even more so for those families or individuals who are not only worrying about food and heating bills, but how to make it special for their children.  So while we continue to need our normal food donations, we would also like to be able to give out extra food for Christmas, to bring some much-needed seasonal cheer to those who are struggling or lonely. This means, however, that we need donations by the beginning of December please.

The Twelve Days of (well before) Christmas

Our warehouse manager in Chichester, Marie, says: “We really need festive donations now, so that we have time to sort and distribute them well before Christmas to the families we support; regrettably late donations (after 20^th December) won’t reach people in time. Ideally, we will only give out seasonal items in the weeks running up to Christmas. Then once the festive season is over, people’s needs revert to more basic food supplies.” She also mentioned that if you plan to give Advent Calendars, please only donate them in November.

This winter, thousands of families will be coming to food banks throughout the country in urgent need of food, support and in the hope that their situation may change. It’s been a busy year already and the Trussell Trust is forecasting more than 600,000 people will need to use its food banks over the next three months.

Supporting children

Since January 2023, Chichester District Foodbanks in Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey have supported 5,523 people. This is 18% up on the same period last year. We have seen an even bigger increase (21%) in the number of children we supported and have provided emergency food parcels for 2,113 children so far. Across the country, between December and February last year, Trussell Trust food banks supported more than 220,000 children with emergency food, and 225,000 people who needed to use a food bank for the first time. Everyone thinks of Christmas as a time of plenty, but we anticipate that for many who need our support, this festive season, through January and February, will be their most challenging period yet.

Donating food over the winter period 

While donation levels have remained stable compared to last year, the continued increase in need is leading to the vast majority of food banks making up the shortfall by purchasing stock. Whether you donate food (please continue to check our list of urgently needed items) or money, we are incredibly grateful.

So much hard work, time and thought goes into serving our communities. The run-up to Christmas is very hard for those who are struggling on low incomes with the cost of living crisis. We can only help as many people as we do through the amazing generosity of our wonderful donors and our army of volunteers. Thank you, one and all.

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