More than 1.2 million food parcels have been handed out by the Trussell Trust across the UK

The Covid-19 crisis has led to a huge rise in the use of foodbanks across the UK, figures have confirmed.

The Trussell Trust provided 2,600 food parcels provided for children every day in first six months of the pandemic.

More than 1.2 million emergency food parcels were given to people struggling to afford essentials by food banks in the Trussell Trust’s UK-wide network between 1 April and 30 September, making it the busiest ever half-year period for food banks; over 470,000 of these parcels went to children.  

While the figures highlight the level of need across the UK, the charity warns their new figures do not include the number of people helped by the countless new community organisations, independent foodbanks and local authorities, which have stepped up during the pandemic to support their communities. 

The trust is asking anyone who wants to ‘end the injustice of people needing food banks’ to join the campaign for a Hunger Free Future.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Throughout 2020, communities across the country have stepped in to provide vital support to people left without enough money. Volunteers in foodbanks have been working hard under extremely difficult circumstances to make sure support is there for people struggling to afford essentials. But it’s not right that any of us are forced to a charity for food, at any time of year."

She called for the drive to support people during the pandemic to continue after Covid-19. Revie said: “This pandemic has shown the unexpected can hit us suddenly, with devastating consequences for people’s lives. But it’s also shown we can make huge changes to the way we live and look after each other. It’s shown that when we come together to push for change, the government responds. Together, we can build a hunger free future.”