S6 foodbank gave out double the amount of food packages on Friday compared to last month since the £20 cut of universal credit.

30/11/2021

Left: Kerry O'Connell and Right: Chris Hardy standing in the warehouse full of not even four weeks’ worth of food

This week, 38 people came into the S6 foodbank to collect food for themselves or their family compared to 20 people who collected in late October.

The S6 foodbank distributes food to 11 sites in Sheffield where 1200 people are being fed every week.

Chris Hardy, 50, manager of the S6 foodbank told us they are starting to feel the affects of the drop in universal credit, having seen a 30% increase in users, 15% of which are thought to be from the added pressure of increased prices and the drop in £20 a week.

Mr Hardy said: "The drop in universal credit really does pull more people into the trap of needing help by foodbanks, especially alongside increased bills in the winter.

"It's the perfect storm in a really terrifying and bad way."

What feels like a sudden drop in universal credit has put enormous strain on the Sheffield foodbank with families now more than ever relying on donations and volunteers to be able to provide for so many more residents.

Mr Hardy told us that the drop in £20 is huge for a lot of working-class families, nationwide another 500,000 people are needing help.

Sheffield unemployment rates are currently at 6%, 4.8% higher than the average in the UK.

This has increased over the last month and foodbank manager Chris says this hasn't helped those that use the foodbank.

Labour Cllr Neale Gibson said: "The government are expecting charities to do the work that they should be doing."

Volunteers at the foodbank have also noticed the increase in demand recently.

Helen Smith, S6 foodbank volunteer, said: "More single adults have came in recently too, it's not just families that are coming in."

Cllr Gibson also said he is concerned donations are going to start dropping in the new year, if the public don't have enough money to spend as they used too, does this mean people won't be able to afford extra groceries to donate to a foodbank?

Those in need in the Upperthorpe area can phone the foodbank on 0114 321 0733 and arrange to collect food parcels available on Tuesdays and Fridays.