Over 1300 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people by Ribble Valley Foodbank in the 2015/16 financial year, with a 7% rise in the number of adults receiving three days emergency food.
At the Ribble Valley Foodbank the top reasons for foodbank referral were: low income (26%), benefits delays (23%) and benefit changes (15%).
Over the last year, local people have donated 20 tonnes of food and toiletries to Ribble Valley Foodbank and over 70 people volunteered. Local schools, businesses and faith groups have provided vital support to the foodbank enabling us to give three days nutritionally balanced food and support people in crisis.
As well as providing emergency food, Ribble Valley Foodbank provides essentials like washing powder, nappies and hygiene products to families who are struggling, as well as signposting them to other services in the local area. Ribble Valley Foodbank works with local referral agencies and with churches in Longridge and Clitheroe who are providing cookery classes, job clubs and CAP debt support, helping people break out of crisis.
Ruth Haldane, Ribble Valley Foodbank Manager, says:
“We saw a 7% increase in the number of three day emergency food supplies provided to adults in crisis in the last year. It is too easy when we look at the figures to forget the real people behind the statistics. We see clients on a regular basis who are waiting for benefits, and have very little or no income in the interim, and clients on zero hours contracts who are only paid when work is available. That’s why the foodbank is so vital. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the community, and hope that one day there will be no need for us in the Ribble Valley. But until that day comes we will continue to offer the best possible service to help local people facing crisis.”
If you are in crisis need for food, phone 07849 534431 for information about how to be referred to Ribble Valley Foodbank.
(Article in Castle News, April 2016)
