Big Increase In Need For Foodbank

More and more people are relying on Market Harborough’s foodbank to feed themselves and their families.

New figures show 1,725 people were helped last year – an increase of 54% on 2017, when 1,115 people were supported.

The Jubilee Foodbank, run by volunteers provided 15,525 meals in 2018, compared to 10,035 the year before.

Chair, Margaret Nash, told Hfm food poverty has remained a significant problem in the town so far this year too:

A total of 861 referrals were made to the Foodbank in 2018, compared with 545 in 2017.

Reasons given for the increase include people’s benefits being changed, with the introduction of Universal Credit, and resultant delays in people getting paid, those suddenly finding themselves unemployed and some people in-work, but their wages not going far enough.

The Foodbank is thanking people for their continued support in donating items and is pleading for that to continue, so they can deal with the increasing demand for the service.

You can donate food at the following places:

Co-op Foodstore near the tills

Sainsbury’s Supermarket near Customers Service

Waitrose Supermarket near the tills

Halifax Building Society

B&M Stores by the tills.

Congregational Church Office

All Anglican Churches in town