'One size fits all' approach may not ease demand, claims Cambridgeshire foodbank
The Government's said it will extend its Household Support Fund for those most in need
A foodbank manager in Cambridgeshire hopes next week's Budget can commit more support towards people in need.
March Foodbank has seen an increase of 30 to 50% in service users since last month, according to manager Marina Allpress.
Across March and the seven other distribution centres that are part of the Ely Foodbank network, almost 75,000 kilograms of food has been given out to people in need in the last recorded 12-month period.
Current stock 'won't last very long'
"Since early September, there's been a steep increase in the number of people using the foodbanks," Marina said.
"It's a good time of year for the foodbank; it's harvest, a lot of schools, churches, community groups contribute to us during the harvest so at the moment, the warehouse is in good shape but it won't last very long."
Earlier this month, figures from anti-poverty charity Trussell found a record 9.3 million people, including three million children, are facing hunger and hardship in the UK.
Trussell suggests the figures, for up to March 2023, mean these people are more likely to use a food bank or at risk of using one.
The Government said it's introducing a "new Child Poverty Taskforce which is developing an ambitious strategy to give children the best start in life".
"Alongside this, we have extended the Household Support Fund to support the most vulnerable this winter and have committed to reviewing universal credit while we deliver on our plan to tackle inequality and make work pay to deliver opportunity across Britain."
'One size fits all' approach
Marina believes there isn't one solution that can help ease pressure on foodbanks.
"It's a double edged sword; it's a good feeling to be able to do it but a terrible thing to have to do it," she added.
"We're very fortunate as we haven't had to turn anybody away without food.
"There are so many different aspects (to the Budget), I don't think there's one size that fits all."