141 Emergency Food Parcels Issued in Wrexham During Start of Summer Holidays
Over 140 emergency food parcels were distributed within the first four weeks of the summer holidays in Wrexham.
Details released by Wrexham’s Foodbank show that a total of 141 food parcels were given out locally during the start of the summer holidays – feeding 104 Wrexham children.
Reasons for receiving food this month included fleeing domestic violence, delayed wages, sickness, low income, benefit delay
Speaking to Wrexham.com Project Manager at Wrexham Foodbank, Sally Ellinson said: “This number is actually lower than last year by about 20% which is what we have seen all year. We are yet to determine why usage has been lower and do not want to draw any conclusions to the reasons yet.
“Throughout the UK some Foodbanks have seen a decrease but others have seen an increase and the Trussell Trust are looking into this. The main reason stated for receiving a food parcel has been benefit delays, closely followed by those on a low income.
“There are also cases of sickness, domestic violence and debt. We have partnered with the Church In Wales to provide meals for children on Caia Park throughout the summer which is running successfully.”
Wrexham Foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust network, provides emergency parcels containing three days’ supply of emergency food to people referred by a frontline professional, such as Citizens’ Advice, housing associations or children’s centres.
Earlier this year Wrexham.com reported that more than 4700 emergency food packages had been handed out in Wrexham alone during the last financial year
However across Wales food bank usage remains at ‘record levels’ with 85,656 packages of emergency food supplies issued within the 2015/16 financial year.
Wrexham Foodbank rely on donations from the public to carry out their service and always appreciate donations of 200ml cartons of juice, tins of vegetables and 500ml cartons of long life milk.
There are also have opportunities for new volunteers either at our warehouse or distribution centre, particularly on a Friday afternoon.
More information on Wrexham Foodbank and how you can get involved can be found on its website.
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