š„£ “I’ve just had cereal to eat all day.” This haunting statement paints a stark reality many in Wales face today. With more working families than ever before relying on food banks, the situation is dire. Trussell, a leading charity, reports that 31% of those referred to food banks are from working householdsāa significant jump from 21% in 2022. This is not just a statistic; it’s the reality of our neighbours, colleagues, and friends.
With some people left with just Ā£89 a week after housing costs, essentials like food, utility bills, and travel are becoming luxuries. It’s alarming to discover that over 660,000 people in Wales faced hunger in 2024 due to financial constraints. One in four families with children lives in food insecurity, highlighting gaps in our support systems. More than a third of food bank users haven’t even accessed other formal support before seeking help, indicating many are falling through the cracks.
Katie Till from Trussell urges that hunger and hardship shouldn’t become the norm. Working families, pensioners, and carers shouldn’t have to choose between food and other essentials. It’s a call for change, aiming at updating our social security systems to ensure no one in Wales faces hunger.
Ahead of the upcoming Senedd election, the charity is pushing for significant changes, like a ‘Welsh child payment’ to support families, expanding Free School Meals, and making it easier to access Welsh benefits. Let’s hope these proposals spark the much-needed change to put food on every table and give every child the best start in life. š½ļøāØ
###Speak up: “No one should go hungry in Wales.”
#EndHunger #FoodBankAwareness #WalesNeedsChange #SupportOurFamilies