Coronavirus: Food banks strained as volunteers isolate and demand surges during pandemic

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Also, Trussell Trust food banks work on a referral basis, so we’ve also got challenges around referral partners – people who normally assess people’s need and give them the vouchers. And on top of all of that, they are needing to operate in epidemic conditions.” Lauren Tunnicliffe, manager of the Manchester Central food bank, said: “I think the concern is we’re going to see a lot of people who otherwise wouldn’t need the food bank – people who would generally consider themselves very secure, they’ve had jobs for a long time, and who provisions are in place for.” The branch, which was set up by students and is close to University of Manchester buildings, has seen a 38 per cent increase in users over the last week – and expects the figure to increase. We don’t know whether we’re still going to be desperate in six weeks, or whether people are still going to be able to keep supporting us in six weeks – obviously they’re going to be concerned about themselves, there’s people that are losing their jobs, they’re not going to be able to afford to go and buy us food every single week.” With a cohort of young student volunteers, the site is expecting to remain well staffed throughout the crisis – unlike many food banks elsewhere reckoning with the government’s advice for over-70s to consider self-isolating. “We’re seeing food banks completely changing the way that they operate overnight in order to tackle this,” Mr Lemon said.