Food bank charity 'overwhelmed' with donations following general election result

Food bank bosses have seen an ‘overwhelming’ spike in donations after Friday morning’s general election result.

The Trussell Trust say they have had "hundreds" of people donating to those who aren't able to afford basic essentials.

The ‘wave of support’ has emerged in the wake of voter outrage that polling stations were doubling up as food banks.

Cardiff’s Ely and Central food banks were unable to open yesterday because the buildings were being used as voting centres, according to Metro Online.

In the Cardiff West constituency, Labour voter Leon Ward tweeted a photo of a notice reading: “No food bank session here due to the General Election.

“This was in my polling station. Surely it tells you everything you need to know about the state of the UK in 2019.”

The Trussell Trust says that around 440 venues are open on a Thursday, but some were shut to accommodate voters.

The charity, which runs 1,200 of them across the country, said it was looking into how many of its facilities were closed on Thursday.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust told Yahoo UK: “We’re overwhelmed by the wave of support we’ve seen today.

"Thank you so much to everyone who has been donating – we’re incredibly grateful. We know we can reach a future where no one needs a food bank, but we can’t do it alone. We must work together – this can change.”

The Trussell Trust says that a record number of people in crisis will need support this December.

Having analysed how many food bank parcels were needed in the same month in 2018, taken alongside the increase so far in 2019, “more people than ever” will need their help over the festive period.

186,185 three-day emergency food parcels were provided to people in crisis last Christmas, with almost 80,000 of those going to children, 44% higher than the monthly average.

But two weeks ago they revealed statistics for April to September of this year showing a 23% year-on-year increase in food parcels.

GENERAL ELECTION REACTION: MORE FROM YAHOO UK

In pictures: Jo Swinson and Nigel Dodds among big names to lose election seats

These are the favourites to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader

Nigel Farage claims credit for Boris Johnson’s election victory

The image which sums up how bad the election was for Labour

Five ways in which Britain will change under a Boris Johnson government

“Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration – but for too many people it’s becoming harder and harder to keep their heads above water.

"Nine in 10 of us believe hunger in the UK is a problem – food banks cannot and should not have to continue to pick up the pieces.

“We know many people want to help their local communities at this time of year. There are two simple things you can do to make a real difference. It’s not right that anyone should have to use a food bank at any time of year – not just at Christmas.

Our next government must start working towards a future where no one needs a food bank. It’s not inevitable that every Christmas we hear stories about families needing food banks. It’s in our power to reach a future where everyone has enough money for the basics.”