The Middlesbrough Foodbank is braced for their busiest year in recent times as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
It’s no secret that the cost of living in the United Kingdom has increased drastically lately, especially when it comes to food inflation.
This impact has been felt, no more so, than by charitable organisations like the Middlesbrough Foodbank.
Tracey Godfrey-Harrison, Project Manager, said: “The people of Middlesbrough wouldn’t be able to cope without it.”
“Already this year we have fed over 12,000 people…Last year we fed 10,000, the year before it was 8,000 [and] by December we could easily hit 15,000.
“At our busiest centre in North Ormesby, we could feed 119 people in 2 hours!”
During to the cost-of-living crisis, the Foodbank has implemented a five-vouchers-in-six-months rule in order to cope with demand.
Tracey said: “We have to let people have food because we can’t send them away hungry.”
The organisation is run by a team of almost 100 volunteers across their seven centres.
Tracey said: “I would be lost without [them], I couldn’t do my job without them. They’re my backbone.”
The main bulk of donations that allow the Foodbank to function come from the public.
And, because of such high demand, the support given to the Middlesbrough Foodbank and organisations like it is more critical than ever.
Tracey said: “I know times are tough for everybody, but a tin of beans or a packet of pasta in your weekly shop and we would be really grateful.”
“That little bit could go a long way to feeding someone.”
You can donate money to the Middlesbrough Foodbank today by clicking the link here.
Alternatively, you can donate food at any of their six centres with all information provided by clicking the link here.
