Lincoln Foodbank recently made an emergency appeal for donations, as it faced its lowest levels of stock in four years. The warehouse, crucial for supporting individuals and families in need, currently contains empty crates stacked approximately 5 feet high, with each stack comprising 15 to 20 crates. Without food donations on the horizon, this foodbank will be out of supplies in only two weeks.
Carolyn Bradbury, the Services Manager at Lincoln Foodbank, called the state of affairs “dire.” She did not mince words about how dire the situation is that they’re up against. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Without new stock, we only have enough food left in our warehouse for about two weeks. One year was extremely bad and we’ve never had it this empty, ever,” she said.
Since January, employees at the Seattle area food bank have reported a 60 percent decrease in donations. This loss has been one of the main driving forces of our present crisis. The organization primarily serves those experiencing food insecurity. For the first time, it now finds itself having to purchase food from outside sources. That’s what Bradbury says they’re now experiencing with the second shoe dropping—the challenge of actually purchasing food. For one thing, they’ve never had to do this before, which is a clear indication donations have dropped.
The Lincoln Foodbank has long relied on the generosity of the community. Now, it is calling on residents to donate whatever they are able to. “The best way to help is just to give. Give what you can. It doesn’t matter how small it is, just put it in a donation tub and we’ll get it out there,” Bradbury urged.
The need for food assistance has become more pressing as the foodbank continues to provide support to local individuals facing financial hardship. Those empty crates previously brimming with dishes such as ‘stodge meals,’ ‘meatballs and chili’ and ‘hot canines.’ Today, these few left standing in our streets eerily foreshadow the lack of resources that await us.
Bradbury reiterated the foodbank’s mission, stating, “We do this because we want to help people, and if there’s no food we can’t.” The organization’s focus now, looking ahead, is to serve their community’s expanding needs. Its future ability to operate is very much predicated on the reliance of local donors’ generosity.
Food banks throughout the UK’s Trussell Trust network are facing the same hardship. A spokesperson from The Trussell Trust noted, “Food banks in the Trussell community across the UK are facing challenging times, with some at breaking point, as they seek to continue to serve their communities.”
