The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in much financial hardship, families, and recently unemployed people are now using food banks to feed themselves, as we face an economic recession worse than the 2008-2009 global recession. Nathanya Laurent - Development Manager at Leeds South & East Food Bank has seen a sharp increase in the demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There has been an increase in demand for our service and that was seen especially during the first two weeks of the C-19 crisis. And numbers continue to be high. We have 3 part time members of staff who are all currently working full time to meet demand and to put new systems and processes in place that adhere to Trussell Trust and government guidance during this time. We’re very stretched but ok!"

We’re a volunteer led charity and the majority of our volunteers are shielding or self isolating and in order to keep our able volunteers and clients safe we have had to change our service temporarily to a delivery model. This means social distancing is maintained, whilst still providing a high level of support to our client group. Please note that our original service will be back in place once it is safe to do so. We’re thankful to the public for the donations that are still coming our way, however we have seen a drop in donations since the crisis hit. So we have a few shortages".

"We are still inputting March data and so far we fed over 1200 people in March including 500 children. We are seeing a lot more low income related new cases due to C-19 now. Ie: people self isolating or losing their jobs. This of course will impact on both physical and mental health".