Luton Foodbank prepares for busiest summer as school holidays deepen pressure on families
The charity expects demand for emergency food parcels to exceed last year's record levels
Luton Foodbank has said it's expecting its busiest summer yet, as families face increasing financial pressure during the school holidays.
Last year, the food bank distributed almost 15,000 emergency food supplies to people facing financial hardship and it is now preparing to hand out even more this year.
The charity says it hopes to ‘ease the burden’ for anyone struggling to make ends meet by offering short-term support during times of crisis.
Salma Khan, CEO of Luton Foodbank said: “We feel that more families have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and more and more families are struggling.
“Even working families are struggling to provide food, especially, when schools break up and they don't have access to those free school meals.”
She adds: “The pressure is immense in the warehouse because of the amount of food that we have to go through. So, we're getting more stock in, the volunteers are making more food parcels, and more food is going out.”
Ms Khan is urging anyone struggling to reach out for help: “People that are working seem to have this perception that the food bank is not for them, but we are here to support you.
“We know that sometimes working two jobs is not enough to provide food on the table and we're here to help.”
“You should not suffer in silence. You shouldn't go hungry, especially when children are involved”, she adds.