Twenty percent of Wales' population faced hunger because they did not have enough money in 2022, according to research from the Trussell Trust. Certain groups were found to be disproportionately at risk, including disabled people, carers, families with children and single parents.
Around 753,000 people faced hunger in Wales in mid-2022- more than double the population of Cardiff, according to the Hunger in Wales study. Welsh Trussell Trust food banks have also seen an 85% increase in the amount of emergency food parcels they distribute compared to five years ago.
The increase in demand forced one foodbank in Caerphilly to close its doors. "We almost had to temporarily close because we literally ran out of food," said Rhymney Valley foodbank manager Steve Jones. After social media posts encouraged local people to donate as much as they could to the food bank, Steve said his faith in humanity was restored as donations came pouring in despite many people feeling the pinch at the moment.
