I am encouraging members of the public to donate to food banks over the Christmas period, with December seeing a surge in demand for food parcels for struggling families.
The Trussell Trust have said that demand for food parcels can rise by up to 53% in December in comparison to other months of the year. Trussell Trust CEO David McAuley, said: “Winter is the hardest time of year for people living on the breadline; many will face stark choices between eating and heating.”
The effects of food poverty are present throughout the year, but will be more keenly felt at Christmas. Therefore, I felt it important to provide a personal donation to Inverclyde Foodbank, earlier this month and also support the Tesco foodbank collection.
While the work food banks do is highly commendable, it is unacceptable that so many across the UK are forced to use them. The evidence is clear that the rise in food poverty over recent years has been as a direct result of the Tories ineffective and dehumanising sanctions regime.
With Christmas a time of giving, I’d encourage those who can afford it to make a donation to their local food bank and to help those struggling this winter. My office will also be happy to take deliveries for the foodbank.
Ronnie Cowan MP 