-Bristol food banks launch campaign to tackle rising poverty

As part of the campaign, the food banks are hosting a series of hustings events where local parliamentary candidates will discuss their plans to address the root causes of poverty and food bank use.

These events will provide a platform for local parliamentary candidates to discuss their plans to tackle the root causes of poverty and food bank use. The events are part of the broader Essentials Guarantee campaign, aimed at ensuring that Universal Credit covers essential living costs.

According to recent data, 18% of children in Bristol are living in poverty, with some areas experiencing rates as high as 55%.

Over the past year, more than 50,000 people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have had to rely on food banks, reflecting a broader national crisis where food bank usage has almost doubled in recent years. Over the past year, more than 50,000 people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have had to rely on food banks, reflecting a broader national crisis where food bank usage has almost doubled in recent years.

Nationally, The Trussell Trust network distributed over 3.1 million emergency food parcels in the past year, including more than 1.1 million parcels for children. This represents a 94% increase compared to five years ago.

The Essentials Guarantee campaign, launched by the Trussell Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, calls on prospective parliamentary candidates to pledge to raise the rate of Universal Credit to cover essential living costs such as food, household bills, and travel.

With food banks across Bristol, South Glos and the UK being stretched to breaking point, this campaign is crucial. It seeks to address the root causes of poverty and food bank use by advocating for systemic changes to the social security system. The Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation believe this would prevent people from falling into destitution, going a significant way to ending the need for food banks.

The Bristol North West Hardship Hustings will take place at St Stephen's Church in Southmead on Friday, June 21, from 7:30-9pm. The Bristol East Hardship Hustings will be held at the Trinity Centre on Tuesday, June 25, from 7:30-9pm. Doors will open for both at 7pm.

The Trussell Trust food banks in Bristol and South Gloucestershire are encouraging residents to attend the upcoming hustings events to engage directly with their local parliamentary candidates.

The events will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and learn about the candidates' plans to address poverty and food insecurity in the region. Tickets and more information about the Essentials Guarantee campaign and the hustings events can be found on the campaign website, endhungerbristol.org.