Jewish charity’s concern at spike in families using emergency food support

Jewish charity GIFT has said more than 100 Jewish families have sought its emergency food support since the first coronavirus lockdown last year, doubling the number in dire straits before March 2020.

The figures came in a 2021 update from the charity whose volunteers have now responded to 7,000 urgent shopping and prescription requests, provided hundreds of hours of tutoring, and delivered 13,000 freshly cooked meals.

Citing a “dramatic” increase in the number of Jewish families now unable to put food on the table, it said vital food support was now costing the charity more than £350,000 a year.

“Unfortunately, the intensity and longevity of the pandemic has placed a big financial strain on many people in our community and we have seen a dramatic increase in those requiring vital food support,” the charity said.

GIFT director Michelle Barnett said: “We have almost doubled the amount of food we now need to give out. This has had a huge financial and logistical impact on our food bank. The community’s support, both in donations of food and money, has been absolutely essential.”