Fri, 23 May 2025

Fri, 23 May 2025 Food bank turning people away due to funding gap

A volunteer at the service says the food bank currently helps about 100 people every week.
A food bank in Norwich has been forced to turn people away due to high demand and funding struggles. The Silver Road Community Centre's food bank, which started in 2020, relies on grants and donations from volunteers. However, these sources have been cut back significantly over the past five years. According to Labour councillor Julie Brociek-Coulton, who is also a volunteer manager at the food bank, the number of people needing help has increased by 51% over the same period. The food bank currently serves around 100 people every week, but without further funding, the organization may have to turn away an additional 50 people per month. Brociek-Coulton blames the cost of living and Universal Credit for the rise in demand. The Trussell Trust has reported a similar trend across the UK, with a 51% increase in emergency food parcels handed out over the past five years.
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