In the last 12 months 1,366 three-day emergency food parcels were given to local people in crisis from East Lothian Foodbank. Latest statistics show in total 2,824 people were helped of which 1075 were under the age of 16, an increase to 38% of the total number of people fed.
The top three reasons for food referrals from the East Lothian Foodbank were:
1. Benefit delays/changes 35.2%
2. Refused crisis grant 31.9%
3. Low income 16.5%
Over the last year, local people have donated 32.9 tonnes of food, with over 40 people volunteering to receive, sort and deliver food parcels. Local schools, businesses and faith groups have provided vital support to the foodbank, enabling us to give three days’ nutritionally balanced food and support to people in crisis.
As well as providing emergency food, we provide essentials like washing powder, nappies and hygiene products to families who are struggling, as well as signposting them to other services in the local area. We’ve also worked in partnership with Roots and Fruits over the past year to produce more than 1000 square meal packs. These are added to the basic food parcel content thereby increasing the nutritional content of the food parcel by the inclusion of fresh vegetables.
Thank you again to all our supporters.