Although food distribution is always a needed service, the current food crisis in Britain makes our work more important than ever. Due to the reduction of welfare benefits, rising unemployment and homelessness, stagnant or reduced wages, as well as an increase in the basic cost of living, absolute food poverty is now a day-to-day reality for millions of people in the UK.

The statistics around homelessness, food poverty, loneliness, and isolation across the country, let alone in London, are staggering!

In the London Borough of Hounslow, where Feed Them All is based, poverty is an everyday reality. Research recently carried out by the Homeless Charity, Shelter, showed that almost 3,000 people in the Borough are living in temporary accommodation, with at least 50 people being homeless.

With the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic yet to take its toll on the economy and unemployment, those numbers are expected to rise throughout 2021 as the government’s employment support schemes come to an end and local businesses (who have employed Hounslow residents) struggle to re-open.

The London Borough of Hounslow has one of the highest unemployment rates in the capital, and sees a worrying 30% of its child population living in poverty! The stretch and demand on food banks, welfare charities, and the state, is going to be unprecedented over the next 12-24 months.

Sources:

http://neighbournet.com/server/common/shelterlbh001.htm

https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/data/boroughs/hounslow-poverty-and-inequality-indicators/