Coronavirus and food banks: The stories behind the statistics

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. New figures on Wednesday show that last month demand was greater than ever – an 89 per cent rise for The Trussell Trust, the UK’s biggest food bank network, while the Independent Food Aid Network, which has around 350 food banks, saw a 175 per cent increase in requests for emergency parcels. “It’s funny because when we first heard about food banks six years ago we were donating to them – usually around £50 or £60 a week – but now we’re having to rely on them ourselves.” ‘We’d never known food poverty until coronavirus’: Freelancer whose work has dried up Zoe Green and her husband David are “really struggling financially” for the very first time. I’m also hoping they might factor out the periods I was on maternity leave and wasn’t able to earn as much, so I can get a higher average amount.” Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins The Independent’s Food For London Now campaign ‘Food banks have been a godsend’: Self-employed mother who isn’t eligible for government support Susan, 45, said she found herself in financial difficulty in the months before the pandemic after her fledging health drink business collapsed. It’s been godsend to get us through this time until we can rebuild our lives back to normal.” ‘It’s a battle to keep going’: Food bank manager whose demand is up tenfold open image in gallery Billy McGranaghan, founder of the Dads House charity and food bank Originally set up to provide support for single fathers, the Dads House charity now runs food banks for anyone in financial need at two sites in west and south London.