Between April 2022 and March 2023, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed almost 3 million emergency food parcels, acting as the highest amount of parcels ever distributed by them in a year. With that in mind, we thought it was important to provide some information about accessing food banks if you are ever in a situation where you need one.
Why do some People Need Food Banks?
You may need to use a food bank if you:
- Lose your job
- Your benefits have been delayed or reduced
- You’ve been met with unexpected costs, such as a rise in your heating bill or rent
- Have experienced a change in finances due to divorce
This is not a complete list of why some people rely on food banks, but it does provide some examples of ways in which we might experience a loss of income or a rise in our expenditures.
What do Food Banks Provide?
Food banks tend to give you a food parcel that will last you for 3 days. However, it’s not just about the food. Food banks may also give you other essential items, such as baby care, toiletries, period products and household items.
How to Get a Referral
You will need to have a referral to use the majority of food banks. You can get a referral for you and any family members you live with, including your partner.
You may be able to get referred to a food bank by Citizens Advice, your GP, a health visitor, the police or a social worker, as each food bank works with different frontline professionals.
Contacting Citizens Advice is a good starting point as they can often refer you or point you in the right direction or someone who will. You can set up an appointment with an adviser from Citizens Advice for them to assess your situation and refer you to a food bank if you’re eligible. If they do refer you, you’ll be given a voucher for your nearest food bank.
Alternatively, you can contact your local council to ask them how to get a referral to your local food bank.
How it Works
If referred to a food bank, you should check your voucher for any requirements, such as whether it is only valid on a specific day.
As mentioned before, food banks usually give you a food parcel to last 3 days. They may be able to deliver this parcel to you if you cannot afford to travel to pick it up yourself, or if you are unable to travel due to sickness or disability.
If you require the use of the food bank again, you will need to get a new referral and voucher.
The Trussell Trust is the UK’s largest food bank network, supporting over 1,200 food bank centres. You can find your nearest Trussell Trust food bank here.