Press releases

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Round up from the 21/22 season.

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.

From the end of January, Southend Foodbank will close four of its eight distribution centres as part of a plan to secure long-term sustainability for people facing hardship in their community.

 Project Manager Natasha Copus said" The growing costs of running a food bank, combined with falling donations since 2022, have significantly increased our spending and consolidating services is the most effective way to ensure we can continue to meet local need.

 “Our commitment to people facing hardship remains unchanged. Emergency food and advice services will continue to be delivered through the remaining four distribution centres across the town. Our mission is to stand with people in crisis and provide hope, dignity and practical support.

 “This is a difficult decision but it will strengthen our ability to support the community. With the continued help of volunteers, churches and donors, we remain determined to ensure no one faces hardship alone.”