Foodbank Calls For Urgent Action As Demand Hits Record High
Written by HFM News on 10th February 2026
Jubilee Foodbank in Market Harborough is urging action to support families and individuals struggling to make ends meet, after 2025 became the busiest year in the charity’s 13-year history.
The foodbank handled 1,310 referrals last year, helping 1,877 adults and 1,442 children, and providing nearly 70,000 meals.
Chair Liz Mills, MBE, said: “These figures are not just statistics – they represent real people in our community who are struggling to afford to eat.
“No one should have to rely on emergency food support to survive in one of the world’s wealthiest countries.”
Members of the Jubilee Foodbank Board of Trustees, joined by Board Secretary and Food Store Manager
The charity highlighted rising energy bills, council tax, and everyday living costs, along with gaps in support services, as key factors behind the increased demand and thanked the local community for their continued support in helping families in need.
The charity’s Board of Trustees said in a joint statement: “It is vital that the community continue to work together to support those who might otherwise slip through the net. People are overlooked when systems, services or even communities do not recognise someone’s need in time.”
They added that many reaching out to food banks have experienced multiple compounding life events, saying: “Illness or caring for a family member can upturn a carefully planned budget. For over a decade, cuts and increased costs have led to people struggling to maintain the basics such as food, hygiene items and energy.”
Already facing high demand in the first weeks of 2026, Jubilee Foodbank continues to support those struggling with food insecurity, signposting to other support networks while advocating for long-term solutions that offer stability and hope.
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