Leeds woman with just '20p' of electric forced to go without food
A Leeds woman with just '20p on her electric meter and no gas' was forced to go without food in order to feed her cat as energy hikes continue to take a 'toll' on her.
Katy, 41, says her beloved tabby cat, 11, has always won out when she’s faced with either not eating or providing for him. She’s described it as a ‘difficult situation’ and took the brave step to visit the foodbank at St Peter’s Church in Bramley.
The 41-year-old shared her story to urge others to reach out if they find themselves in a desperate situation. The Trussell Trust, which provides foodbanks across the country, has said 36,000 emergency food parcels were distributed in Leeds last year, alone, with more than a third of these were for children.
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Katy said: “Things have started to take a toll, shall we say. The rising costs of everything is dreadful. The foodbank is a godsend, a blessing. I’ve got about 20p on my electric and I’ve got no gas. So, I’ve managed to get a fuel voucher.
“I’ve made sure my cat’s alright. Every time I get paid, I always get her enough food and cat litter but it means sometimes I’m going without. So, without the foodbank, I wouldn’t have any food. My cat is going to be loving it when I go home. They’ve given me a couple sachets of cat food.”
Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by seven percent in the year to January 2024, according to the Consumer Prices Index. This is lower than peak prices in March last year, which saw the inflation rise to 19.2 per cent – the highest annual rate seen for 45 years.
Currently four in ten energy bill payers are struggling to afford payments, adds the Office for National Statistics. Its survey also revealed that 44 percent of adults are cutting back on energy consumption because of the rising cost of living.
'You’re choosing between yourself or your animal'
Katy desperately wants to work in the field she’s passionate about, animal care but says there are obstacles obstructing her path. She has a diploma in animal care but she’s missing GCSEs at grades A to C, she can’t apply for the most basic of animal related jobs, like even “shovelling s***,” remarked Katy. The 41-year-old, who also has experience working as a stable hand, always struggled with education to due to her dyslexia.
Katy added that a lot of her neighbours in her estate also struggle with animals. Katy said: “It’s a very difficult situation to be in as you’re choosing between yourself or your animal.”
In addition to the pet food and fuel voucher, Katy was startled to realise the food bank also offered feminine and masculine hygiene products. In heartfelt message to others struggling, Katy said: “If you need to. Do it. Don’t let pride stand in your way.
“If you have to, you have to. At the end of the day, these places are here to help us. You need to get that message out there to help people. It’s not about me, it’s about helping everybody.”
Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, food banks in the Trussell Trust’s UK-wide network distributed more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels to people facing hardship. This is an increase of 94 per cent over the past five years. More than 1.1 million of these parcels were distributed for children.
Laura Chalmers, Area Manager for the Trussell Trust in Yorkshire, said: “Last year, Trussell Trust food banks in Leeds distributed close to 36,000 emergency food parcels, more than a third of these were for children. Food banks and their staff and volunteers across Leeds and Yorkshire work tirelessly to ensure that anyone who is referred to a food bank receives emergency food, support and advice.
“Our community of food banks are here to help anyone who is struggling to afford the essentials. If someone is in a position where they feel they need the support of a food bank, they should visit our website, get the details of their local food bank, and call them to discuss how they can help. No one should be afraid to seek support and everyone will be warmly welcomed.”
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