Posts in '2014'

The APPG on food poverty and hunger’s seminal report goes beyond anything that’s been done before on the problem of hunger in Britain. This powerful cross-party document validates what the voluntary sector has been saying for a long time about the distressing reality of hunger in the UK, and it turns the spotlight on the specific problems that need addressing.

This important report could be a landmark document, but this depends on how we all respond. The report contains a host of well thought through recommendations. If acted on by all the key players, they would make a massive dent in the problem of hunger that haunts our society and blights the lives of many, many of our poorest citizens.

This document could turn the tide on a challenging problem which the Trussell Trust has been drawing attention to for over seven years, since first embarking on our Hidden Hunger awareness campaign. (more…)

We feel very privileged to have the support of so many people and would like to thank you whilst sharing the news and events of the last financial year of 2013/14.

It is so important that we stop people going hungry today but we also want to prevent it happening tomorrow, which is why we are working hard to lift the lid on UK food poverty.

The last year saw us feed record numbers of adults and children as well as many new foodbanks opening across the UK together with new Trussell Trust Shops being opened in Farnborough and Salisbury. (more…)

The All Party Parliamentary Group on food poverty and hunger’s seminal report goes beyond anything that’s been done before on the problem of hunger in Britain. This powerful cross-party document validates what the voluntary sector has been saying for a long time about the distressing reality of hunger in the UK, and it turns the spotlight on the specific problems that need addressing.

This important report could be a landmark document, but this depends on how we all respond. The report contains a host of well thought through recommendations. If acted on by all the key players, they would make a massive dent in the problem of hunger that haunts our society and blights the lives of many, many of our poorest citizens.

This document could turn the tide on a challenging problem which the Trussell Trust has been drawing attention to for over seven years, since first embarking on our Hidden Hunger awareness campaign.

But it does all depend. (more…)

On Tuesday 10th June, Trussell Trust Chairman Chris Mould gave evidence to the Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector, together with a number of other invited organisations.

His hard-hitting comments have since been covered in a number of media publications and have been widely shared on Twitter.

The Panel is chaired by Sir Roger Singleton. Other members present included Sir Bert Massie, former Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission and Andrew Hind, former Chief Executive of the Charity Commission. (more…)

I know what it’s like to use the same teabag twice
To cut the mould from the bread, to rescue a slice
I didn’t ever think I would be in such a mess
While working full-time for a living, while suffering from illness and stress

I choose to work to pay my own way
But have no spare money at the end of the day
The cupboards and fridge are empty what else can I do?
Throwing my three elderly pets on the street?- It just wouldn’t do. (more…)

Today we’d like to say a huge public ‘thank you’ to everyone who has donated following the Mail on Sunday’s Easter Day article criticising our work.

We were overwhelmed when our Easter fundraising appeal ‘Help Crack UK Hunger’ received an unexpected boost following the article. Donations started to pour in after undercover reporters targeted our volunteer-run foodbanks, with one Mail on Sunday reporter duping a Citizens Advice Bureau volunteer into giving him a voucher for a foodbank.

(more…)

We’re excited to tell you that Larmer Tree Festival has announced The Trussell Trust as their Official Charity Partner for 2014!

Larmer Tree is a popular music festival held in Wiltshire, with a brilliant line-up for July 2014 including Frank Turner and (the one and only!) Tom Jones. The event has been voted ‘Best Family Festival’ by festival-goers… and ‘Best Toilets’ too if you’re interested!

Our team is already working away on plans for family-friendly fun. Being Larmer Tree’s Charity Partner will be a great way to keep raising awareness of UK food poverty, share with people about what we do and fundraise – with lots of brilliant activities, and hopefully sunshine, along the way. We’ll let you know more about what The Trussell Trust will be up to closer to the festival! (more…)

Come with me to a Trussell Trust foodbank for a couple of hours. Listen to people’s harrowing stories of their fight to make ends meet on the few pounds left over when the bills are paid, and how they’ve been going hungry to bridge the gap. Pick almost anywhere in the country: the Trussell Trust has a network of over 400 foodbanks and around 1,000 distribution centres. (more…)

December 2013 saw The Mirror launch its ‘Give Our Kids A Christmas Appeal’ with Unite the Union which raised money for foodbanks specifically to help provide Christmas food for those struggling over the festive season. With your help foodbanks will have given emergency food to up to 60,000 over the Christmas period and this appeal, together with The People’s Toys Appeal, has transformed Christmas for thousands of families. The response to these appeals was overwhelming and we’d like to say a big thank you to readers of The Mirror and The People, as well as Unite members, for their incredible kindness. (more…)

The Trussell Trust shoe box appeal is now in its 13th year and helps some of the poorest families and communities in Bulgaria, from orphanages and women’s refuges to the housebound elderly and rural schools. The boxes bring light, laughter and essential supplies to those who need help the most living in exceptionally tough conditions.

Claire Leeper the Trussell Trust’s Finance Manager helped give out the boxes in Bulgaria and says:

‘It was so touching and humbling to meet people who were so incredibly grateful for these small gifts. One elderly man who’d had a stroke could barely stand up. He said he felt useless now that he’s old and he cried when he received his box, repeatedly saying, ‘thank you so much for not forgetting us.’ Another bed-ridden elderly lady held my hand and sang me a song as a thank you.’ (more…)