Corrine Boden, the director of services for Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank, has expressed deep concern over the increasing demand for food assistance in the region. Boden brings more than 12 years of experience at the charity itself. He has experienced the booming need for services that combat food poverty up close.
During her tenure, Boden has seen a stark change in the kind of people who’re coming to help. “If you look at the landscape it’s really changed, it used to be a lot of families, now there is a lot of single people too,” she explained. This change is representative of a larger economic shift that has crashed down on many people, driving them desperate to find ways to stay afloat.
Recent statistics underscore this alarming trend. Boden revealed that “66% of people who came to a food bank in the last six months have been in in-work poverty.” This statistic highlights a troubling reality: many individuals who are employed still cannot afford basic necessities, forcing them to rely on food banks for support.
In-work poverty is not just limited to Stoke-on-Trent. This, in part, reflects a worsening national trend of skyrocketing costs of living and stagnating wage growth. The resultant cost-of-living crisis means that food banks, such as that in Stoke-on-Trent, are increasingly significant lifelines for people in financial distress. Boden stressed the need to get at these systemic root causes to reduce the pressure on food assistance programs.
Staff members at Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank are more than just food providers—they are educators of food poverty. Beyond driving convening and dialogue, they are leading and actively advocating for necessary policy changes that will improve economic conditions for these vulnerable populations. The organization is focused on not just relieving the daily hunger, but fostering a community that seeks to understand and eliminate the reasons why food insecurity exists.
With demand only expected to grow, Boden and her team are committed to staying true to their mission. They’re figuring out how to grow their services and reach even more people who need help. As they continue to find their footing through these emerging challenges, the continued support from the community is more important than ever.
