THE demand for food has surged in the borough, Basingstoke Foodbank has revealed.

The cost-of-living crisis is pushing record numbers of people to use foodbanks.

In Basingstoke, for the last quarter of 2022 compared with the same period in 2021, demand has risen by a staggering 82 per cent.

Nationally between April and September, foodbanks in the Trussell Trust network distributed 1.3 million emergency food parcels from April 1 to September 30 2022. Almost half a million of these were for children. 

Across the UK, this represents a 33 per cent increase in emergency food parcels distributed compared to the same period in 2021/22 and a 52 per cent increase from the same period in the pre-pandemic year of 2019/20.

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Basingstoke's chair of trustee Phil Thomas said: “The cost of living and energy crises are really starting to bite.

"Thanks to the amazing generosity of the people and businesses in the town, we’re currently still able to meet demand. But I hope those who can afford to do so will continue to support our work as more and more people are becoming clients of the foodbank - something they probably never dreamed would happen.”

The news comes after Phil previously said he was sad there is still need for a foodbank in Basingstoke.

Speaking previously, he said: "While we are immensely grateful to the people and businesses of Basingstoke for their support over the years, and for the sterling efforts of over 100 volunteers, we’re sad that in 2022 there is still a need for a foodbank in our town.

“The current economic crisis means demand for our services is growing again and until the benefits system in this country is reformed, there will continue to be people and families in crisis with not enough to eat.”

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Every year since 2012 Basingstoke Foodbank has fed around 3,000 people in crisis in the area, including 800 children.  

Anyone needing crisis food should get in touch with one of over 120 agencies who can refer them on to the Foodbank. 

Full details are on the Basingstoke Foodbank website, together with how to make a donation at basingstoke.foodbank.org.uk.