The powerful short documentary from the Trussell Trust was supposed to tell the story of how foodbanks pivoted their approach to helping those in crisis in response to the pandemic. But during filming, inflation rose to its highest level in a generation.
The film features Trussell Trust CEO Emma Revie, as well as Norwood and Brixton Foodbank project lead, Elizabeth Maytom. They, and others, share how new ways of supporting their community’s most vulnerable came together almost overnight, due to the overwhelming response from volunteers, new and current.
Whilst we are hopeful that we are living in a post-pandemic world and some people’s lives are getting back to normal, many of those who were in difficulty before Covid-19 are now in crisis.
Following the cut to Universal Credit in October 2021 the cost of living continues to soar. Part of the national Trussell Trust network, the Lambeth Foodbank Partnership has experienced its busiest winter outside of the height of the pandemic in 2020.
Food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided more than 2.1 million parcels to people on the lowest incomes across the UK from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. This is a 14% increase on pre-pandemic figures in 2019-20 – more and more people are unable to afford the essentials.
The message is clear, we cannot accept that this is going to be our new normal. The Norwood and Brixton Foodbank couldn’t operate without its generous supporters. Provide a lifeline to those that need it most, find out how you can donate food, money or your time.