Coronavirus: Food banks forced to close

Food banks are being forced to close or reduce the service they offer as the coronavirus outbreak contributes to a growing shortage in food donations.

Campaigners said people on low-incomes could be pushed further into the grip of poverty and social exclusion due to a decline in the voluntary services, which is also being exacerbated by a decline in volunteers. For example, Islington foodbank has announced that it will be closing at the end of this week in response to a growing number of volunteers self-isolating and a decline in donations – as well as concerns over risk of infection.

A statement from Islington food banks said: “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 told The Independent they too were being forced to consider closure or reduce the service the offer due to difficulties obtaining adequate food supplies and volunteer shortages.