WORKING people are turning more and more to the use of foodbanks as the cost of living crisis sends bills soaring to previously unknown levels.
The stereotypical image of people who queue up for handouts so they can eat is someone who relies on benefits for money.
But with utility bills going through the roof, people who hold down a regular job are having to use ten facilities in Tameside as they face a decision of ‘heat or eat.’
Foodbanks in the borough are reporting increases of more than 50 per cent higher than they used to serve.
All because people’s purses are being stretched to – and in many cases beyond – the limit.
The Correspondent conducted an investigation to find out just how many people have had to turn to foodbanks in recent weeks and months.
Put simply, more and more images associated with poverty are happening on your doorstep, under your nose.
And with talk of libraries and public buildings being employed as ‘warm banks’ when the weather gets colder, the problem shows little sign of abating.
Lindsey Tweed knows more than most just how people are turning to foodbanks through her work with Mossley’s.
“Our numbers are going up,” she said. “They did dip a little as the Covid-19 pandemic seemed to ease but they’re creeping up again.
“When the country started to emerge from lockdowns etc we were seeing in the region of 14 people.
“Now, though, that is up to 22 which for us is quite a lot as we’re only a small foodbank. Pre-Covid, there were some weeks where we’d only serve one person.
“And pretty much the only reason for the increase is bills going up. People are struggling and we’re seeing more working people come to us, not just those on benefits.
“Everyone’s using it now. We’ve got quite a lot of single people from the Mossley and Micklehurst areas using it too.
“Referrals come to us from schools in Tameside, which shows children are being massively affected too.
“It’s the cost of food and fuel that’s behind it. We’re expecting to get re referrals both this month and next as the weather starts to get cooler.”
Lindsey and Mossley Foodbank, which is based at the Youth Base on The Rowans in Micklehurst, have also seen donations drop as need becomes more pressing.
Tinned meat and vegetables, as well as cooking sauces, rice and noodles are needed – they can be dropped off at any of a number of points around the town.
They have also seen take-up on a table of food that is put out for people to pick up sky rocket.
“I live around here and I’ve definitely seen that people are finding it harder to live,” Lindsey added. “People are just embarrassed to take things as they think, ‘Someone else may need it.’
Well, take it as if it isn’t, it’s only going to go in the bin.”
The picture at Mossley is repeated at foodbanks around Tameside.
Jean Fitzsimons, project co-ordinator at Tameside east Foodbank, which operates out of Stalybridge’s Holy Trinity Church, told The Correspondent: “The cost of living crisis is certainly affecting us all.
“Tameside East Foodbank will have been open for 10 years in December and year on year we have noticed the number of clients increasing – this isn’t changing.
“We actually fed more people in the first six months of this year – 2,602 – than we did in the first full year that we were open – 2598.”
Susan Ayeras, who holds the position at Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank added:
“More people are coming to us because of low income, 56 per cent in July 2022 up from 31 per cent in July 2021.
“We asked local primary schools how we can help over the summer holidays – in the past we have provided hampers to families to help in the holidays.
“They have said that families who do not get Free School Meals are struggling and those who are working in low paid jobs, perhaps part-time, are feeling the pinch.
“We provided £7,000 of supermarket vouchers to 140 of these families
“Everyone is worrying about the winter and fuel costs. Most of our clients are on pre-payment meters and so pay more for their fuel than direct debit customers.
“We asked if people would like thermals for winter and everyone said, ‘yes,’ so we have stocked up on long johns and vests to give out this winter.”
And Steven Barton, who operates Barty’s in Stalybridge and has seen the level of donations drop about 70 per cent, painted an equally gloomy picture.
He said: “The number of working class people and old people using us has increased by about 45 per cent, sadly it will get worse.
“We’re now seeing lots of families and mums who are working too. People who used to donate are now using us
“There are people in admin, manual labour and care home jobs using us. Even nurses, teaching assistants and dinner laddies. It’s so sad .”
The war in Ukraine is largely held as being the reason why bills have soared and are soaring.
And outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Brits to withstand the pain, as Ukrainians are, ‘paying in their blood.’
He said: “We know that if we’re paying in our energy bills for the evils of Vladimir Putin, the people of Ukraine are paying in their blood.
“That’s why we know we must stay the course. We must show, as friends of Ukraine, that we have the same strategic endurance as the people of Ukraine.”
However, he admitted his successor will “plainly” have to provide further direct cash payments to help people cope.