Malnutrition is estimated to cost the NHS in England £19.6 billion per year, and the cost of treating a malnourished patient is two to three times more than a non-malnourished patient. Food banks are one way that people experiencing food insecurity can be helped.
There are more food banks than there are branches of McDonald’s in the UK today. The cost-of-living crisis and Covid 19 has left many people in need of additional support.
Trussell, a charity based on, shaped, and guided by Christian principles, supports a network of over 1,200 food bank centres. Many other food banks and other food support services, such as food pantries, are provided independently by individual churches.
Food and a warm welcome for those in need
In Northern Ireland there are 23 food banks in the Trussell, distributing parcels at 50 locations across all six counties. Northern Ireland is the smallest region in the Trussell community, but between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 these food banks distributed 90,375 emergency parcels, including 60,831 for children. This represents an 11 per cent increase from last year and a 143 per cent increase compared to the same period five years ago.
In the same period, 23,700 people in Northern Ireland were forced to turn to a food bank in the Trussell community for the first time. In the UK as a whole the total number of emergency food parcels issued last year is estimated to be close to six million.
Church buildings are vitally important for the work of Trussell.
“20 out of our 23 food banks in Northern Ireland sit under the governance of a church of Christian faith-based charity, with most of their distribution centres based in church buildings,” explains Jonny Currie, the network lead for Trussell in Northern Ireland.
“Food bank operations are usually carried out in church halls or other buildings within church grounds. Our food banks are committed to providing a warm welcome for people in crisis and the surroundings of a church building are vital to this.”
One of the churches that works with Trussell is Portstewart Baptist Church, originally established in 1944 and now based in a new building. By obtaining a voucher from Citizens Advice Bureau, a social worker, a doctor or other support agencies, people can obtain three days’ emergency food supply.
As well as distributing food within its own building, the church also collects and distributes food to other locations. Trussell food banks support people of all faiths and none.
“In Northern Ireland our food banks are open to all sections of the community and all religious traditions,” continues Jonny Currie.
“One of the biggest referral agencies to our food banks is the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – a voluntary support organisation of the Catholic church.”
Each year, thanks to the generosity of parishioners, St Brigid’s Conference is able to distribute around £50,000 to provide financial assistance, food, clothing, furniture, electrical items, fuel and education for those in need.
St Brigid’s Parish is part of the South Belfast Foodbank. It provides a minimum of three days nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in crisis. Fifteen other churches are partnered with St Brigid’s in this project. There are families struggling to put food on the table. For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis, such as redundancy, benefit delay or even an unexpected bill can mean going hungry. Food banks like these offer some respite if the worst should happen.
