Christmas is always a busy time for us, with demand for the foodbank increasing as families struggle to budget, unemployment continues and the school holidays begin. Many people turn to the foodbank for help over this period, and we are pleased to be able to offer a helping hand where needed.
Low income, Debt, Benefit Changes and Benefit Delays were among the main causes of referral on the Island this Christmas time.
This year we saw a decrease in the number of people using the foodbank between 1st December- 14th January. Figures dropped from 834 people in 2015/16, to 762 people in 2016/17. Although we are pleased that it seems less people had to resort to using our service this Christmas, we are also saddened that there is still the need for it.
7961.32 kgs
The weight of food donated by members of the public between 1st Dec-14th Jan 2016-17
7224.83 kgs
The weight of food supplied to people on the Isle of Wight between 1st Dec-14th Jan 2016-17
Many of our clients said that if the service had not been here, they would have gone without or eaten very little
We would like to thank everyone who donated to the foodbank over the holidays, whether in Food, Finances, or Time. It is because of the generosity of local people that the foodbank is able to continue helping people on the Isle of Wight who are facing food poverty.