Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Foodbanks ‘struggle to meet demand amid pandemic’

by LAUREN CODLING

FOODBANKS have revealed the challenges they are facing during the coronavirus pandemic, with many admitting that they are struggling to keep up with demand.


Charitable organisations are reliant upon food donations from supermarkets and community members to help support rough sleepers and vulnerable people in need. Many operate on total donation policies and are run by volunteers.

However, the Covid-19 outbreak has brought a number of challenges which have had a major impact on people who rely on these organisations for food. Supermarkets such as Asda and Morrison’s are unavailable to distribute to foodbanks as they have had a large increase in requests from customers shopping for their groceries. This has led to many foodbanks struggling to provide their normal services.

Imran Hameed, founder of Salma Foodbank and Bearded Broz, admitted the lack of food has had a severe impact on service they can provide to those in need. Salma, a 24-hour emergency food bank which covers the West Midlands, west London and some parts of Manchester, was forced to reduce the number of hours available on their helpline as they are unable to deal with the level of requests.

“I still have a good network of people who are willing to deliver, but I don’t have the physical food to deliver,” Hameed told Eastern Eye. “I’ve got limited amount of food, hence the reason why it would be pointless leaving the lines open as we just don’t have the supplies to give out to people.”

Jahangir Khan, founder of Rukhsana Khan Foundation foodbank in Walthamstow, north London, echoed similar experiences. “The outbreak has caused a shortage of supplies from the big supermarkets which we regularly order to supply our vulnerable families,” he told Eastern Eye. “The situation is critical.”

Both Khan and Hameed agreed that many of their clients panicked about the on-going pandemic and were worried that they would go without vital supplies and food. Hameed said he spoke to elderly people who could not take their medication as they had no food and as their support carers were in self-isolation, they were unable to assist them.

Khan said people had been calling his personal number in tears, explaining they had run out of food. Some are self isolating and have asked if the foodbank can deliver to their doorstep – but unfortunately, the foundation does not currently have the facilities or the funding to do so.

Khan admitted he was concerned for those who were self-isolating and did not have access to food. “If they are self isolating, they won’t have access to food as the reason they come to foodbanks is that they don’t have money,” he said. “It will lead to a very detrimental cycle and I’m not just talking about their mental state – it could lead to deaths as they have no food and no nutrition.”

Khan has since put out requests on social media for a van to help deliver food to those in self-isolation.

Nighat Bhola, a director of Barking-based foodbank HumDum UK, also said they had been contacted by many people in distress. Bhola said the organisation was trying to reassure the community to stay calm.

“We are trying as much as possible to get all the support out there that we can,” she told Eastern Eye. The foodbank usually makes around 200 meals per week and provides takeaways for people in need – something they hope to continue with in the coming days and weeks. “What we serve is sufficient – it gives people enough food for four or five days,” she said. “We are really trying to keep up with that.”

Noor Foodbank, based in Preston, has also seen a rise in the service users since the pandemic began. They have been inundated with emails requesting food parcels in recent weeks. “This is just the beginning and we are expecting the demand to increase,” Sadiq Patel, a volunteer and one of the founder members of Noor Foodbank, told Eastern Eye.

Although Patel said the foodbank is currently well stocked, they are either very low on certain items or have run out. These include long life milk, tea, coffee, sugar, treats for children (crisps, chocolates, biscuits) nappies and baby milk.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to purchase these items due to panic buying from the public,” he said, although he noted that many people were still making efforts to donate to the charity. For instance, some Noor Foodbank volunteers are visiting major supermarkets to collect baked goods, tinned items, fresh fruit and vegetables if they are able to.

Some local providers in Preston are assisting too – halal meat suppliers Musa Group have provided Noor with fresh lamb each week and manufacturer PZ Cussons have made generous donations of toiletries to service users.

“We are very grateful of donations we receive as without these we would really be struggling to provide the varied food items,” Patel said.

Some charities have implemented a number of initiatives to support vulnerable and elderly people during the outbreak.

The Penny Appeal charity has partnered with Age UK in Bradford to provide services for the elderly and homeless through hygiene kits, food packs and financial aid. It has also launched a Listening Line to people who are isolated, anxious and lonely. Penny Appeal has urged people to donate to its Coronavirus Emergency appeal at pennyappeal.org.

Charity Nishkam SWAT have said they will be providing a free mobile langar service for those aged over 65 to bring food to people’s doorstep in parts of north and west London, as well as Swindon, Wiltshire.

More For You

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

LONELINESS can affect people of all ages and backgrounds in different ways. Sukhvinder Kaur was deeply impacted by social isolation after her marriage broke down, leaving her alone with two young children.

Despite a happy upbringing, a supportive family, and a strong community network, she began experiencing uncomfortable thoughts that didn’t resonate with her, leading to increased isolation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world.

iStock

Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ashwini Gurujii

Ayurveda finds it origin in one of the four Vedas, the Atharvaveda. Brahma ji propounded the science of Ayurveda and passed it on to Daksh Prajapati, who gave it to Ashwini Kumars, the physicians of devas, and they gave it to Indra.

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world. The level of existence was so pure and selfless that diseases were unable to manifest then. The rishis of satyug realized that in the times to come, the thoughts of people are going to become so polluted that diseases will find the required environment to manifest and then the need of Ayurveda would arise, so Rishi Bharadwaj went up to Indra Dev and asked for this divine science.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why helping ageing parents is precious

As our parents age, we embrace new roles in their lives with compassion and care.

Why helping ageing parents is precious

AS OUR parents’ health begins to deteriorate, one of the hardest things in life is watching them age. Some can no longer walk for more than 10 minutes, and their memory isn’t what it used to be. There are also hidden complications associated with ageing.

I grew up in a working-class family. My dad was named Simba when he lived back in Zanzibar, Africa. He swam in the open ocean and ran for miles. The joinery skills he learned from his father have been passed down to my brother and me. My mum worked long hours sewing and in factories to provide for us, ensuring we had everything we needed. She also taught me never to rely on anyone for anything, which has shaped me into the strong, independent woman I am today.

Keep ReadingShow less
Spring-clock-change-iStock

Circadian rhythms regulate physiological processes in living organisms, including plants, animals, and even bacteria. (Photo: iStock)

How the spring clock change impacts sleep and health

EVERY YEAR, about a quarter of the world's population adjusts their clocks for daylight saving time (DST).

While it may seem like a small change, some experience fatigue, irritability, and brain fog in the days that follow. For night owls, the adjustment can take weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

Bring the past into the present for a richer celebration

Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

EID is a joyous time filled with unity, reflection, and celebration.

While the essence of the celebration has remained unchanged across centuries, the way this special day is celebrated has evolved, with many older traditions being replaced by modern practices and technological advancements.

Keep ReadingShow less