Greater demand at food banks 27/03/2008 00:00

In recent months there has been a big jump in demand at Flemish food banks.

In recent months there has been a big jump in demand at Flemish food banks. Thanks to the food banks people on the breadline can stock up on essentials for free.

In the Antwerp food bank volunteers ensure that charities get their supplies for the needy.

 More and more people are becoming reliant on such donations: 110,000 in Belgium - an increase of 3,000 on the year.

Everybody knows about the food banks nowadays, but there is more to it.

Rents have gone up, so have energy and food prices.

Even many people on benefit can no longer get by.

Local social services often see no alternative but to send claimants to food banks.

Food banks get left-overs from the supermarkets and distribute these among a network of 600 social organisations.

flandersnews.be