LOCAL Food banks say there is real evidence that families in Carlisle and west Cumbria are really starting to feel the pinch.

The North Lakes Foodbank have been in operation since 2009 and have 6 centres across Allerdale and Copeland.

This summer North Lakes Foodbank have given out 306 emergency food parcels feeding over 600 people, including 200 children.

The foodbank has also made provision for nearly 400 families to receive holiday packs to help children who are on free school meals.

In July 2017 the most given reason when asked why people needed an emergency food parcel was benefit delays on 34 per cent with 21 per cent of answers saying low income.

Over the same period this year benefit delays account for just 7 per cent of answers with low income now on 57 per cent: an increase of 32 per cent.

According to the Department of Health over 50 per cent of Cumbria’s children were eligible for free school meals in July 2021 and that number is expected to rise over the course of the next year.

School holidays can add more pressure onto financial problems as parents need to spend more money on food and activities often at the expense of their own health.

Cumbria County Council recently announced a £2 million package to help tackle the cost of living with council leader Stewart Young saying he is ‘committed to helping those who are really struggling.'

But despite support from local government people are still struggling and long-term economic support from Westminster is needed to support our local communities.

And it’s not just workers who ply their trade in the gig economy who are facing hard times, its nurses, teachers and lawyers who are struggling too.

Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have called for a windfall tax on the record-breaking profits of big oil and gas companies to help lower energy prices and ease financial pressures and some on the left of the Labour Party have suggested nationalising oil and gas companies is the only way to curb price rises.

But despite the crisis food banks across Carlisle and Cumbria need the help of their local community more than ever to keep performing the vital services they offer during this crisis.

They rely entirely on public donations of food and volunteer staff members to keep going and they need your help.

Food banks in Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Carlisle and across the district are doing all they can to support people in need and support is welcomed with open arms as we help do our bit for this national crisis.

 

Read More: Cumbrian families missing out on free vitamins, food and milk