Cornwall residents reminded to plan ahead for foodbank visits over Christmas
Demand is set to increase over the holidays
People in Cornwall are being urged to check the opening dates of their local foodbanks ahead of the Christmas holidays to ensure they can access essential supplies.
It is as many foodbanks are closed on Christmas Day and demand is expected to increase over the festive season.
In the last two years, Truro Foodbank saw a record number of 102 people come in for food support within two hours ahead of Christmas.
According to Truro Foodbank Manager, Simon Fann, maintaining stock levels has become increasingly difficult in recent years.
"Last year, we fed 5,000 people and this year we're on course to do the same", he explained.
"To do that, we needed 60 tonnes of food last year and the biggest source of our food donations, historically, have been the drop bins at the supermarkets in Truro.
"Those donations have dropped 14 tonnes in two years.
"That means there's a 25% gap in what we need to give out over the course of a year and when you come up to Christmas, demand goes high. So, you've got to make sure that you fill that gap somehow."
Inflation is playing a role in the decrease, Mr Fann added, as families have less money to spend on donations while also managing rising costs for their own households.
Demand typically increases during Christmas, creating additional pressure to fill the recurring shortfall of essential items.
What donations are most needed?
Long-life products are particularly vital this Christmas.
While biscuits and chocolates are welcomed as treats, core foods are the priority.
Items such as long-life milk, juice, tinned soup, pasta sauce, tinned meat products, pies, and cooked meats are essential.
Hygiene items like toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, and toilet rolls are also appreciated.
A growing number of households being supported by Truro Foodbank are working families facing rising costs and unexpected financial difficulties.
At the moment, around one in four households (25%) who use Truro Foodbank have someone in work.
Christmas opening times
"I do know that referrals will go up over the next couple of weeks", Mr Fann added.
"Partially it is because of that gap between Christmas and New Year and people just want to make sure they are food secure and that they have enough to be able to bridge that gap.
"But last year, in 55% of cases, people only came once, which is amazing because sometimes the concern is that people keep on coming and coming and coming.
"That only applies to 9% of our customers that came six times or more. So the vast majority of people do only come when they are in absolute crisis."
While many foodbanks adjust their schedules to accommodate increased seasonal demand, closures on specific days mean preparation is essential to avoid going without critical supplies.
Truro Foodbank will only be open on the 22nd and the 29th of December and then again in the new year, making it essential for people to check opening times and early enough to make sure they are set for the holidays.
"We want people to be food secure before Christmas Day and through to New Year and also to enable our volunteers and our staff to also have that day with their families, but in the knowledge that people have got enough food there", Mr Fann explained.