“THIS could happen to anyone, no-one is here to judge.”

Lisa Seale speaks of the fine line that separates people from their everyday lives and a very different existence - one in which they need help to survive from week to week.

“If I were to lose my job it would be very long before my savings ran out and I would need help,” she says. “The same applies to many people.”

As manager of Bradford Central Foodbank, Lisa oversees the operation that in the year up to April 2016 helped 3,445 people in crisis with three-day emergency food supplies. This compares with 4,887 in the previous 12 months.

Foodbank is part of a UK-wide network run by The Trussell Trust, a national charity that works to stop hunger and poverty. It works in partnership with churches and communities to open new foodbanks across the UK. With more than 400 up and running, its goal is for every town to have one.

In Bradford it is hosted by The Light Church in Captain Street, off Bolton Road.

Across the UK 13 million people live below the poverty line. The latest statistics from the trust’s foodbank network show UK-wide foodbank figures for 2015-16 remain at record levels.

Early findings in new data analysis of Trussell Trust figures by University of Hull suggests foodbank use highest in areas where many people are unable to work due to illness or disability, are skilled manual workers, or are from deprived backgrounds.

In Bradford, the main reasons for foodbank referral were benefit delays, low incomes and being unemployed.

For clients - who are referred by various agencies - visiting for the first time is not always easy. “They come in with their heads down and they say that they did not think they would ever use a foodbank,” says Lisa. “But we create an atmosphere where no one is judged. They leave with their heads held high.”

Food bank user Kristian was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome he received and also by the bank itself. “I had been receiving Employment and Support Allowance after an attack of agoraphobia. After making progress, I returned to work and claimed Job Seekers’ Allowance. My claim was delayed, leaving me without food for a short time,” he says.

Over the last year, local people have donated 24 tonnes of food to Bradford Central Foodbank. It relies on in-date, non-perishable items including long-life milk to soup, tinned meat and tinned fish. A permanent collection point is sited at Tesco in Canal Road.

As well as providing emergency food Bradford Central provides essentials like washing powder, nappies and hygiene products as well as signposting them to other services.

Volunteers are crucial to the running of the foodbank. Last year more than 100 people helped.

Local schools, businesses and faith groups have provided vital support to the foodbank.

The running costs for the foodbank are around £28,000 a year, all of which is raised locally to enable them to continue their work. The foodbank is seeking ten local businesses to act as key sponsors - so far they have three - Watermill Press, Brooklands Pharmacy and Specsavers.

Nationally the foodbank works with more than 160 different agencies including children’s centres, health professionals and job centres.

A drop in need for the food bank is welcome, says Lisa, “But 3,445 is still too many and more needs to be done so we can continue to see the need decline.

“It is all too easy when you look at figures to forget the real people behind the statistics - last week, a working mum visited as she was struggling while waiting for benefits to be sorted and regularly having to turn work down due to not being able to afford childcare. That’s why the foodbank is so vital.

“We are very grateful for the support of the community, and hope that one day there will be no need for us in Bradford. But until that day, we will offer the best possible service to help people facing a crisis.”

David McAuley, chief executive of The Trussell Trust says: “Today’s figures on national foodbank use prove that the numbers of people hitting a crisis where they cannot afford food are still far too high. This many people needing emergency food must not become the new normal. I’m calling on Government, the voluntary sector, businesses and communities to work together to tackle hunger and poverty in the UK.”

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