Press Releases

Jan-Dec 2023 foodbank usage figures

The number of referrals received and the amount of parcels given out during 2023 are discussed in this press release. In 2023 we have out over 20,000 parcels, compared to the 12,800 we gave out in 2022.

Read the full press release here:Foodbank Press Release January 2024

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Southend Foodbank releases its mid-financial year stats

In a joint press release with the Trussell Trust, Southend Foodbank have revealed the stark increase in the number of people needing a 3-day parcel.

Read the full press release here: Press Release April-Sept 2023 figures

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Southend Foodbank’s busiest month in its 10-year history

‘We’ve run out of pasta & beans’

In the first half of 2023, Southend Foodbank received 3,723 referrals to its distribution centres and gave out 9,664 food parcels. They have now fed more people this year than in the whole of 2021.

In June, Warehouse Manager Simon Carter had to take to social media to ask foodbank supporters to start donating pasta and beans – the first time he had to ask this in his many years at the warehouse.

To read the full press release, click here: Press Release 6th July 2023a

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Southend Foodbank busiest month in its 10-year history

Southend Foodbank opened in late 2013 in response to the need for a short-term helping hand, for people that were in financial emergencies with no resources to fall back on. The food bank has become a regular contributor to local initiatives to reduce poverty and hunger in the city but, has today reported it is struggling to keep up with the huge increase in demand.

This year alone, the food bank has been forced to spend nearly £30,000 buying essential food items to create food parcels. A recent stock-take has shown that Southend Foodbank ended March with less than a week’s stock for most of their food. Read the full press release here:  Press Release – March 2023

Information on how to support the work of Southend Foodbank:  GIVE HELP

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Southend Foodbank spending thousands of pounds buying food as need for the foodbank keeps increasing through the start of 2023

Southend Foodbank is facing an unprecedented shortfall between donations of food and the amount needed to provide 3-day food parcels for people turning to the foodbank, leading to record amounts of money being spent on food purchases.

The cost-of-living crisis, which has seen massive price rises in fuel and food costs over the winter, disproportionately affects people already struggling on very low incomes. At Southend Foodbank we are responding to increasing referrals for help as donations struggle to keep up. More than ever before we are purchasing food just to have enough of the essentials we share with people who come to the foodbank.

“We have seen a 70% increase in food parcels given out compared to this time last year. This increase is really hitting us hard and has resulted in a widening gap between the amount of food being donated, and the amount of food needed to meet the needs of people turning to us at the foodbank.”

Read the full press release here: Press Release – Food Purchases March 2023

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Three Quarter-year foodbank figures released

Southend Foodbank referrals break all previous records

Southend Foodbank has released its three quarter-year statistics, highlighting the number of people needing a food parcel in the area so far this year.  The figures are breaking all records, with September 2022 being the busiest month since the foodbank opened in 2013.

Read the full press release here: Press Release – Three Quarter Stats – 10th October 2022

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Half-year foodbank figures released, July 2022

Southend Foodbank referrals up 56% on 2021

Southend Foodbank has released its half-year statistics, highlighting the number of people needing a food parcel in the area through the first half of 2022. The figures look stark, with 56.4% more referrals being made to the Foodbank in January to June this year, than in the same period of 2021.

Full press release: Press Release 11th July 2022

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SUFC fans supporting Southend Foodbank, end of season report

During the 21/22 season, Southend United fans donated over half a tonne of food, 600kg, and £2750 in cash to Southend Foodbank. Southend United, through the Community and Educational Trust, hosted two foodbank donations days at Roots Hall in November and April. Local pubs the Blue Boar and Spread Eagle kept collection crates on their bars throughout the season, with additional collections arranged by local grassroots group Fans Supporting Southend Foodbanks.

“As well as the amount donated, seeing support from the club and fans shows people struggling locally that they are supported by their local community. It makes a real, practical, local difference when the items donated can end up in kitchens on the streets you walk through on your way to Roots Hall.”

Full press release: Shrimpers supporting the local foodbank: Standing Up For our Community 16th May 2022.

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Annual foodbank figures released, April 2022

“New figures released by Southend Foodbank today reveal 9,284 emergency food parcels were provided to local people who couldn’t afford the essentials between April 2021 and March 2022 – 4,255 of these went to children.

This number of parcels is a 42% increase on 2019-20.

 

The support we see across the community for people on the lowest incomes is incredible. But it shouldn’t be needed. We should all be free from hunger. No one should be pushed deeper into poverty without enough money for the things we all need. It’s not right that anyone in Southend needs our food bank in the first place – everyone should be able to afford the essentials.”

Full press release: Southend Foodbank and Trussell Trust annual figures Press Release April 27th 2022

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April 2022 quarterly statistics

“We’ve seen an increase of 44% in referrals this quarter compared to the same time period last year. This is a stark increase and tallies with the increase in the cost of living, the increase in energy bills, and the removal of the £20 weekly UC uplift at the end of last year.”

Full press release: Southend Foodbank first quarter statistics release April 2022

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