Rowenna Davis, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen, will be joining local residents to fast through Thursday, April 10, to raise awareness about the growing use of food banks in the city.

Local staff and volunteers at the Bitterne Park Triangle food bank will go a day without food, drinking only water, alongside local residents who are worried about growing food poverty in the city.

Around 20 have already committed to taking part in the fast, which is part of the national campaign ‘End Hunger Now’, which was started by bishops during lent. Protestors say they’re fasting to protest about the growth of food banks across the country under David Cameron’s leadership.

49% increase in use

Food bank use in Southampton has grown massively. According to City Mission, which runs Southampton’s food banks, it served 873 people last month alone – a 49% increase on the same month last year.

“It’s shocking that a city like ours should have so many people who can’t feed themselves and their families,” said Rowenna Davis. “People shouldn’t be going hungry in 21st Century Britain. Our fast isn’t just about people who use foodbanks either – it’s about all of those who are noticing their food bills go up and struggling to make ends meet.”

• Every Wednesday, City Mission turns the Old Chemist in Bitterne Park into a Basics Bank, and distributes emergency rations of food and clothing to those who have been referred. Contributions of food and clothing are also welcomed – for more information on the Triangle food bank, read our previous feature and listen to audios we recorded in February.

Link
End Hunger Now campaign http://endhungerfast.co.uk/

A volunteer sorts donated tins of food at Bitterne Park Triangle Basics Bank