Sign of The Times - The other bankers

Date: 28 April 2012 11:26:12

Foodbanks are in the increase around the country as this BBC Scotland article indicates. The Trussell Trust website talks about the work they are doing and links to some articles referring to their increase. Amongst their links was one talking about the way David Cameron was recognising the valuable work of foodbanks - this made me sick. Whilst it is good their work is being recognised it needs to be understood why foodbanks exist and people need them and why their take up is increasing; the government needs to take not all but an awful lot of the responsibility. The cuts being talked about and implemented are increasing the problems faced by the poorest in our society.

As it is these foodbanks are providing an important service but are finding themselves struggling to keep up with demand. Durham Foodbank is currently running low on a range of goods. An email I got this week contained the following information:

the foodstore is currently out of: tinned meat // fish // tomatoes

- there is also an urgent need for: pasta // soup

Items can be dropped off at the Distribution Point at The Caretaker's Cottage, North Road Methodist Church, on Monday, Wednesday and

Friday 1 -3.30pm or Evangel Church, Chester-le-Street, Monday - Thursday, 9am-5pm.

So whilst we need to lobby against poverty and against the cuts which are causing real deprivation in this country and elsewhere I encourage you to donate an item to your local foodbank if you can.