Demand for Cambridge Foodbank ‘unprecedented’ says CEO

In December, Cambridge City Foodbank experienced its busiest month in its more than 12-year history, during which it supported over 1,560 people with emergency food parcels – a 24% increase on December 2021.

This capped a year of unprecedented demand, during which 137 tonnes of food were distributed to 13,580 people, nearly 4 out of every 10 of whom were children.

Even at the height of the pandemic in 2020, levels of demand were 33% lower than during 2022, and forecasts suggest that high levels of demand are set to continue.

Throughout the festive period, the foodbank received large amounts of much needed support, with individuals and organisations donating generous amounts of both food and funds.

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Donations were also bolstered by its record-breaking Winter Hamper campaign, which provided families across Cambridge with a hamper filled with festive treats and essential food items.

This was followed by the three-day bi-annual national Tesco collection, when almost 8300kgs of food were donated by members of the public in stores across the city.

Steve Clay, CEO of Cambridge City Foodbank, said: “We never want to be breaking records when it comes to levels of demand.

“Unfortunately, December was a stark reminder of the serious impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on local lives here in Cambridge and the wider UK.

“We are so very grateful for the generous support that we received throughout the festive period, and it is not an understatement to say that without it, many people in Cambridge would have gone hungry this Christmas.”

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Steve continued: “The challenge for us now, is to continue to be able to provide support for those that need it most throughout 2023.

“The beginning of the year is a historically difficult time for some, but with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this January could plunge more people into food poverty.

“I am humbly requesting that if you are in a position to be able to support the foodbank with food or funds, or able to donate some time to volunteer at one of our distribution centres, then please get in touch.”

If you are interested in supporting Cambridge City Foodbank, you can learn more here: https://cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/

About Cambridge City Foodbank

Cambridge City Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. The Foodbank was founded in 2010 by local churches and community groups looking to address the issues of food poverty in the city.

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The Foodbank has a range of sites across Cambridge where clients, who are referred to its services in crisis, can access emergency support and food.

As a well-established charity, it is instrumental in the development of long-term and sustainable strategies for addressing poverty in Cambridge by providing nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people. Cambridge City Foodbank also runs a fuel support scheme that aims to address fuel poverty