Registrations for Cork's only food bank have nearly doubled to date in 2022
Feed Cork say they have had an 84% increase in new registrations so far this year and are seeing growing numbers of working people using their service.
917 new users have registered to Cork city’s only food bank, Feed Cork, so far in 2022, an increase of 84% over 2021, when 478 new clients registered, and with two months left to go until year’s end.
The figures are drawn from the anonymised app that the food charity uses when people sign up for their service and that tracks the number of users and new registrations.
917 is just the number of new registrations to the app in 2022: a total of 1,843 people are currently using the food bank in Cork city.
“Falling between the cracks” of cost of living crisis
While some of this year’s dramatic increase is coming from Ukrainian refugees registering for the service, the charity has warned that they are also seeing growing numbers of working people availing of their service.
These people may be struggling with rent, debts and energy costs. They can avail of a weekly “shop” at the Feed Cork drop-in service and café on Oliver Plunkett St Lower.
“Once upon a time there probably was a standard service user, but we are seeing growing numbers of working people coming in to us,” Feed Cork Volunteer Co-ordinator Sharon Mullins told Tripe + Drisheen. “People are falling between the cracks, people who aren’t eligible for any payments.”
“We have people who started coming in through Covid, who were on the PUP. There is one couple in particular who both work, but one whole salary is going on their rent and they are not alone.”
“We are seeing parents who would go without food to make sure their kids are fed.”
Students using food bank
The charity, which receives EU and Department of Social Protection funding, are also seeing students using their service, Mrs Mullins said.
“They might not use it every week, but they might come in on the week that their rent is due,” she said.
Feed Cork gives out between seven and eight tonnes of donated food each year including store cupboard basics like pasta, breakfast cereals and sauces as well as chilled and frozen foods.
The food is donated by food waste distribution service Food Cloud, from individual food businesses and occasionally from private donations.
7% “moderate or severe” food insecurity
7% of Irish people are experiencing “moderate or severe” food insecurity, according to the global Food Systems Dashboard database.
Look out for Thursday’s Long Read on Tripe + Drisheen, which is an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the work of Feed Cork. On the website or in your mailboxes tomorrow.