Foodbanks across the UK are being forced to close or reduce the service they offer as the Coronavirus outbreak continues to spread.
According to reports, Islington foodbank, which provides food to people in one of the country’s most deprived boroughs, announced on Monday -16th March- that it would be closing in seven days’ time in response to a growing number of volunteers self-isolating and a decline in donations.
Campaigners have said that people on low incomes could be pushed further into the grip of poverty and social exclusion due to a decline in the voluntary services.
As the UK continues to react to the virus, the DWP latest has been that those face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be suspended for the next three months – with measures said to be in place for claimants to access advance payments upfront without the current requirement to attend a jobcentre if they are advised to self-isolate.
The government has also published COVID-19 guidance for hostel or day-centre providers of services for people experiencing rough sleeping – but there are overall concerns that rough sleepers could be targeted under proposed police powers to arrest anyone with the virus not self-isolating.
Islington foodbank said the decision to close had been “difficult”, adding: “We understand that we provide a service to vulnerable people who may need us now more than ever, but still feel this is the best way to keep our volunteers and clients safe and minimise the risk of infection.
“In addition, we need a minimum number of volunteers at each session to operate but with increasing numbers self-isolating we cannot guarantee that.
“And finally, our food supplied are running low with donations down and supermarkets limiting how much we can order. We will monitor the situation closely as it unfolds and will re-open as soon as we feel it is safe to do so.”
Other organisations running foodbanks across the country have said they too were being forced to consider closure or reduce the service offer due to difficulties obtaining adequate food supplies and volunteer shortages.
Nick Waterfield, who runs a foodbank in northeast Sheffield, said the charity was in a “state of uncertainty and flux” and that it had already decided to close what he calls its social café, where clients could go to have tea and discuss their problems with volunteers.
“Getting the stock in is one problem, but the social cafe is about social networking, support, but we’ve had to lose that. We couldn’t run the risk of doing food in the same way anymore, and having people together in one space,” said Waterfield.
Sabine Goodwin, coordinator of the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), called on the government to “urgently” provide the financial means to those on low or no income to buy food and support themselves during this crisis and beyond.
She added: “Dedicated volunteers have been depended on to provide emergency food parcels to those in need for too long.
“The spread of Coronavirus means there’s a possibility that we may now no longer be able to count on their good will and generosity to keep food banks open.”
Charities are also calling on the government to increase welfare benefit payments to support low-income families in the face of Coronavirus – with Child Poverty Action Group saying ministers should bring in a £10 per week uplift in child benefit for the duration of the pandemic.
CEO of the charity, Alison Garnham, said: “We are in very uncertain times and the impact of the COVID-19. Coronavirus will place additional financial pressures on families who are already struggling to get by.
“The policy solution should not be to turn to the voluntary sector to boost food distribution projects, or to create new ones. As well as the loss of their dignity, families being forced into food banks are likely to increase the risk of infection from COVID-19 and further its transmission in already vulnerable communities.”
by Esmee Joinson-Evans
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