Third Force News | BBC/Getty
Foodbanks are describing the persistent hardship they witness as “appalling”, with people sitting in the dark to save electricity, parents skipping meals to feed their children, and people in such impossible situations that they open food parcels to eat before leaving the food bank. At the same time, levels of need continue to outpace donations. Many foodbanks say they are at breaking point and are having to purchase significant amounts of food just to keep shelves stocked.