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Coronavirus: Food bank shortage blamed on panic buying Coronavirus: Food bank shortage blamed on panic buying
(about 3 hours later)
Food banks say they have a shortage of basic items because shoppers are stockpiling as fears grow over the spread of coronavirus.Food banks say they have a shortage of basic items because shoppers are stockpiling as fears grow over the spread of coronavirus.
London food bank Sufra, which donates 3,000 parcels annually, says the likes of pasta and rice are hard to get. London food bank Sufra, which donates 9,540 parcels annually, says the likes of pasta and rice are hard to get.
A food bank in Bedfordshire has warned stockpiling "will hit the vulnerable".A food bank in Bedfordshire has warned stockpiling "will hit the vulnerable".
In Coventry, one food bank said supplies have "never been so low" and in Billingham donations have dropped considerably in recent days.In Coventry, one food bank said supplies have "never been so low" and in Billingham donations have dropped considerably in recent days.
Food bank charity The Trussell Trust said it hoped the "generous public" would continue donating.Food bank charity The Trussell Trust said it hoped the "generous public" would continue donating.
"We're working with our network on how best to support people as the situation unfolds," it said."We're working with our network on how best to support people as the situation unfolds," it said.
The North Paddington Foodbank (NPF) in London said its donations were down by 25% meaning it had to spend an additional £200 per week to top up supplies.The North Paddington Foodbank (NPF) in London said its donations were down by 25% meaning it had to spend an additional £200 per week to top up supplies.
But manager James Quayle said finding supplies has been difficult.But manager James Quayle said finding supplies has been difficult.
"The items we are trying to purchase may not be available [from supermarkets]," he said."The items we are trying to purchase may not be available [from supermarkets]," he said.
"We've been hit quite hard by it to be honest.""We've been hit quite hard by it to be honest."
In Coventry, the Queen's Road Baptist Church Food Bank, which has been operating for a decade, usually helps up to 4,000 people each year.In Coventry, the Queen's Road Baptist Church Food Bank, which has been operating for a decade, usually helps up to 4,000 people each year.
Although now is traditionally a quieter time for donations, contingency plans are in place, in the event the virus takes hold.Although now is traditionally a quieter time for donations, contingency plans are in place, in the event the virus takes hold.
But Graham Carpmail, from the bank, said his fridge is all but empty and supplies have diminished.But Graham Carpmail, from the bank, said his fridge is all but empty and supplies have diminished.
"I've never been so low with what we've got to give people," he added."I've never been so low with what we've got to give people," he added.
On Teesside, the Billingham and Stockton Borough Food Bank said donations have dropped.On Teesside, the Billingham and Stockton Borough Food Bank said donations have dropped.
'Everybody wants coffee''Everybody wants coffee'
"I think we're lower on stock because people have started to stockpile and so don't give as much," Jill Coyle, from the bank, said."I think we're lower on stock because people have started to stockpile and so don't give as much," Jill Coyle, from the bank, said.
"We put [long-life] milk in every bag and we are low. Likewise with juice and squash."We put [long-life] milk in every bag and we are low. Likewise with juice and squash.
"Sugar and coffee are the other things everybody wants. Coffee is a bit more expensive so we get less of it donated."Sugar and coffee are the other things everybody wants. Coffee is a bit more expensive so we get less of it donated.
"Shops don't donate food as such, but have a basket at the end of the tills so people can shop and donate an item. It's that collection that's been lower.""Shops don't donate food as such, but have a basket at the end of the tills so people can shop and donate an item. It's that collection that's been lower."
Back in Paddington, King Anthony Sarkar, a regular food bank user, said he could not manage without it.Back in Paddington, King Anthony Sarkar, a regular food bank user, said he could not manage without it.
"Tinned foods, rice and pasta, everything here makes a meal," he said. "You get a meal all the time.""Tinned foods, rice and pasta, everything here makes a meal," he said. "You get a meal all the time."
Mr Quayle said he was concerned they could have to close their doors and run a delivery service only to those in greatest need.Mr Quayle said he was concerned they could have to close their doors and run a delivery service only to those in greatest need.
His experience was echoed by Rajesh Makwana, from the Sufra food bank in north-west London, who said 40% of its users are refugees or asylum seekers who rely on the food banks as they are not allowed to work.His experience was echoed by Rajesh Makwana, from the Sufra food bank in north-west London, who said 40% of its users are refugees or asylum seekers who rely on the food banks as they are not allowed to work.
It has put out an emergency appeal for donations after receiving fewer items from its collection points at schools, churches and local small businesses.It has put out an emergency appeal for donations after receiving fewer items from its collection points at schools, churches and local small businesses.
Mr Makwana said they have struggled to buy staple items from their normal outlets as supermarkets ran out of these cheaper items due to the public buying more than normal.Mr Makwana said they have struggled to buy staple items from their normal outlets as supermarkets ran out of these cheaper items due to the public buying more than normal.
"The families we support simply can't afford to panic buy and hoard food, they're already knocking on our door in search of basic supplies," he said."The families we support simply can't afford to panic buy and hoard food, they're already knocking on our door in search of basic supplies," he said.
Mr Makwana said the charity had now started rationing things like pasta and toiletries.Mr Makwana said the charity had now started rationing things like pasta and toiletries.
Like NPF, Sufra is also looking at running a delivery-only service in order to protect volunteers from cross-contamination.Like NPF, Sufra is also looking at running a delivery-only service in order to protect volunteers from cross-contamination.
Mr Makwana said goods were being pre-packaged into parcels to prevent germs spreading.Mr Makwana said goods were being pre-packaged into parcels to prevent germs spreading.
"We want to provide a service but we're struggling on so many fronts," he added."We want to provide a service but we're struggling on so many fronts," he added.