The latest numbers released by Hackney Food Bank show the number of people facing hunger has reach a record high. 

The charity has seen a 22% increase in demand over the last 12 months, distributing 282,800 meals in 2024/25, compared with 231,000 in 2023/24. 

Last year, Green Councillors visited the Hackney Foodbank and learned more about their amazing work. The Hackney Foodbank has become more important than ever.

If you can donate or volunteer, please support their incredible efforts.  

CEO of Hackney Foodbank Pat Fitzsimons, said: “In the 13-year history of our charity, things have never been as tough as they are now. Hunger in Hackney is at a 13-year high. 

“We’ve had to recruit extra volunteers to cope with the demand, we launched a mobile food bank to help more people, and our fundraising team is working flat out to ensure no one goes hungry. “ 

Hackney Foodbank is joining Trussell for a lobby day in Westminster next month. 

Fitzsimons said: “we need the national systems to change – Universal Credit, the social security net that should be catching people in crisis, isn’t enough to cover the basics and it’s falling to charities like ours to pick up the pieces.” 

The charity is also worries that recently changes to disability benefits and the winter fuel allowance will only see demand for their services increase.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of Trussell, said: “A whole generation has now grown up in Hackney where sustained high levels of food bank need feels like the norm. 

The community has teachers, doctors, and healthcare professionals now routinely referring people to food banks as part of their day-to-day jobs, showing how emergency food has sadly become a fixture. 

If you can, please play your part and help change this.”

You can donate money, food, or volunteer time at the following address: https://www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/give-support