Demand for foodbanks in Chesterfield sees increase during pandemic

Like foodbanks up and down the country, centres in Derbyshire have seen an increase in demand since the first lockdown in the spring.

In Chesterfield they have also noticed an obvious rise in the number of large families in the area requiring food parcels just to get by.

The 83-strong team of volunteers at Chesterfield Foodbank’s centres in the town are now expecting a busy winter and Christmas, and are looking at new ways to continue feeding adults and children in need across the borough.

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Patrick Evans, from Chesterfield Foodbank, said: “Volunteers have gone above and beyond to serve the people of Chesterfield and we have been amazed by the generosity of the local community.

"Many of our volunteers have worked every week since the first lockdown, sorting donations, making packs, delivering to isolating clients.

"This has meant we have been able to serve those most in need.

"I couldn't be more proud or grateful of my volunteers and the many supporters in the community. After such a tough year it really has been a pleasure to see the incredible work of our dedicated staff.”

Chesterfield Foodbank provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to people who are referred to them, and has been operating since 2013.

The foodbank works through local agencies issuing vouchers to people in crisis who cannot afford to buy food.

This can include unemployed people seeking work; low paid, often part time workers; people who are sick and people with special needs; those recently discharged from hospital or other institutions; adults and children in difficult family situations; people dealing with benefit changes and school children on holiday and not receiving free school meals.

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The centre in Chesterfield is part of a nationwide network of more than 400 foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, which is working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Chesterfield Foodbank has three distribution centres at Brimington, Loundsley Green and West Bars, a small warehouse at Sheepbridge and a van, which is used to transport donated food from drop bins in supermarkets, churches and libraries to the warehouse.

Volunteers at the warehouse weigh and sort the food into group and best before date order, and then store the sorted food in cardboard trays on pallets.

People bring their vouchers to the foodbank centres where volunteers offer a cup of tea and a chat, provide support and encouragement and give out the food packs.

The foodbank says it has not seen a spike in referrals, as seen in some parts of the UK, but more of a steady rise accompanied by a ‘large increase in the quantity of food given out’ which suggests more large family units are needing its services.

Since the first national lockdown in March, the 83 volunteers who work with Chesterfield Foodbank have handed out 3,243 food parcels, each providing nine meals, meaning more than 29,000 meals in total.

Patrick says the centre is now looking ahead to how it can best serve the community over the festive period.

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"We’re always busy at Christmas and are exploring options for school packs,” he said “The foodbanks are closed Christmas Day but open all the rest of the festive period.”

Patrick has sent a special thank you to Peak Oil, which provides the diesel for foodbank deliveries.

The Trussell Trust, which supports Chesterfield Foodbank and others across the country, says a record 1.2 million parcels were given to people struggling to afford essentials nationally between April and September, and warned the figures are ‘the tip of the iceberg’.

The trust’s figures do not include the number of people helped by community organisations, independent foodbanks and local authorities.

Foodbanks in Derbyshire saw at least an 11 per cent increase in demand since the start of April when the pandemic was at its height.

Between April 1 and September 30, 6,289 emergency food parcels were given to vulnerable people from the trust's 13 foodbanks across the county.

This was a rise from 5,684 parcels during the same period in 2019.

The charity's chief executive Emma Revie said volunteers have been working hard to support people in need, but it is ‘not right that any of us are forced to use a charity for food, at any time of year’.

She added: “In the last few weeks we’ve seen incredible compassion and concern for people facing hunger following Marcus Rashford’s brilliant campaigning, and it’s hugely welcome to see the government build on steps already taken by providing significant new funding for local councils in England.

“This vital local support must work in coordination with a national welfare system that is strong enough to act as a lifeline to anyone struggling to afford the essentials.

“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.”

Across the UK, food bank demand in the six months to September increased by 47 per cent compared to the same period last year.

More than a third of food parcels went to children during this period – 470,000 in total.

For more information about Chesterfield Foodbank, and how you can support it during this most difficult of years, visit the website.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.