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Coronavirus: Food bank shortage blamed on panic buying | Coronavirus: Food bank shortage blamed on panic buying |
(about 1 hour 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 9,540 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. | |
"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. |
The Parson Cross Initiative in Sheffield is planning for a fall off in donations in the coming weeks. | |
The food bank said it was also taking precautions by issuing "grab bags" from next week in a bid to cut down on person-to-person contact. | |
Normally, people can have a snack and a drink while they wait. | |
The Felix Project in Enfield, London, which collects just-in-date and surplus food from supermarkets and restaurants to distribute to 330 charities and schools, said its warehouses were now short. | |
"Everyone is scaling back and we've seen a significant drop. It is worrying," Damian Conrad said. | |
He was especially concerned for his schools which have a high percentage of pupils relying on a school dinner as their main meal. |