Food parcel demand soars in New Forest as benefit claims rise
A FOOD charity has reported a fivefold increase in the number of parcels it has given out to families as benefits claims surged locally during the pandemic.
Figures from the New Forest Food Bank were revealed as the number of people in the district claiming working-age benefits reached 4,205 in September – more than two-and-a-half times the level in March.
From April to August the Lymington-based food bank gave out 2,206 packages – five times the amount provided over the same period in 2019.
Another food bank in Lyndhurst, which was established by volunteers at the start of the pandemic, has provided more than 180 parcels, worth £60 each, since March. They contain food as well as household items like toothpaste, detergents and shampoo.
The food bank numbers were collated by the New Forest Rotary Club which is now focusing fundraising efforts to support families facing financial hardship following the first lockdown and ongoing restrictions, which have hit the local hospitality sector, in particular.
Club president Steve Timms said: “The financial hardship caused to families is widely expected to increase the demand for food parcels within communities throughout the New Forest area.
“Although seemingly affluent areas, loss of income is causing immense hardship to many families, with pride often preventing deserving cases from seeking assistance.”
The club has allocated £750 to Lyndhurst Welfare Charity for its food bank and £500
each to New Forest Basics Bank and Totton Basics Bank.
Mr Timms said New Forest communities and local businesses have been generous in their support through donations of cash, food and other essentials.
Oliver Stanley, chair of New Forest Basics Bank, said: “Our fulfilment has been pulled in many directions in recent months, from responding to families of school children who missed out on the free school lunch vouchers, to helping New Forest District Council in delivering substantial parcels to those who were shielded but not included in the government free box scheme.
“We have seen an increase in clients since the crisis broke, and we are very well prepared to react to the possibility of a further increase once the furlough scheme drops off.
“I would encourage anyone noticing friends or family struggling with food poverty to please go and visit an agency such as the Citizens Advice New Forest who will be able to refer for a food parcel if necessary.”
He added: “I am really grateful for the support we have received from the Rotary Club and their members. With the ongoing Covid-19 situation, this kind of community involvement is really helpful in highlighting the situation the New Forest Basics bank faces where food poverty is concerned across the New Forest.”
According to the Office for National Statistics, the proportion of people in the NFDC area claiming working-age benefits was 4.3% in September, compared to 5.4% in the south-east region and 6.5% in the UK.
In the constituency of Christchurch the claimants total came to 2,145, compared to 765 in March. The proportion claiming working-age benefits there was 4.8% last month, and 5.3% in the wider south-west region.
