After local people gave so generously to the Christmas food bank collection, Islington Council is setting up food collection points to help support local people who are struggling over Easter.

The number of residents referred by council services to the Islington Food Bank has more than doubled since Universal Credit was rolled out – from 90 in June 2018, to 220 in March 2019. In December, the council passed a motion declaring no confidence in Universal Credit, and calling for the dangerous and unworkable Tory government policy to be scrapped.

Despite the Tory government cutting 70% of the council’s core funding since 2010, Islington Labour are supporting local people. So far, the council has helped over 2,000 residents being moved to Universal Credit with a one-off payment equal to one week’s net rent.

Cllr Troy Gallagher, who proposed setting up the food collection drive, said:

“I don’t think Foodbanks should be necessary in 21st century Britain, and the world’s 5th largest economy, but the reality is that people are facing real hardship. Tory austerity and welfare reforms, including Universal Credit, are forcing people to turn to foodbanks and other charities for help.

 

“The people of Islington have an amazing community spirit, and I know that local people will give generously to this food collection drive”

 

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Executive Member for Community Development, said:

“It is incredibly upsetting that anyone in our borough should be forced to turn to food banks due to Tory austerity and welfare reforms.

 

“Islington Labour are standing up for local people by calling for Universal Credit to be scrapped, and for the Tory Government to think again on their programme of austerity and cuts that are impacting some of the most vulnerable in Islington.”

 

The collection runs until Wednesday 17 April, with all items  donated to The Pilion Trust and Islington Food Bank. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at Islington Customer Centre (222 Upper Street) between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, St John Street Area Housing Office (245 St John Street) between 9am – 4.45pm Monday to Friday, and Holland Walk Area Housing Office (85 – 88 Holland Walk) Monday – Friday between 9am – 4.45pm.

Urgently needed items include pasta, rice, pasta sauces, tuna, tinned corned beef, tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit, tinned rice pudding, tinned vegetables, red kidney beans, butter beans, chickpeas, baked beans, cereals, long life milk, long life fruit juice, instant coffee, chocolate bars, custard, deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

For more information, visit http://www.piliontrust.info/ or https://islington.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/