Rotherham Council to agree £100,000 funding for foodbanks and crisis loans

The council proposes providing £60,000 for crisis loans, £34,000 for infrastructure and transport to supply food to food banks, and £10,000 to support a food-in-crisis scheme.

Demand for crisis food is nearly three times higher than it was in 2020, according to a report to Rotherham Council.

As the country entered the first Covid lockdown in March 2020, demand for crisis food and other support changed dramatically, resulting in nearly 20,000 food parcels being issued in 2020/21 – a 342 per cent on 2018/19 figures.

In the ensuing cost of living crisis, more than 12,000 food parcels were given out in 2021/22 and 2022/23, and the high level of food parcels being provided has led to problems with supply meeting demand.

A report to the council said: “To address this, Household Support Fund (HSF) monies have been allocated to purchase additional stocks between October 2022 and March 2024.

"A broader range of food types will be made available as part of the supply of crisis food provision, moving beyond ambient goods.

"A new referral system will be put in place, building on what works in other organisations, to help strengthen the co-ordination of food in crisis information.”

The funding will allow the council to continue providing interest-free crisis loans of between £40 and £120 – although exceptions can be made to a maximum of £250 to purchase essential furniture or electrical goods.

If approved on November 15, organisations will be invited to bid to work in partnership with the council.