Living costs leads to 'surge' in people using food banks

Br Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Day Centre said there were now people attending for food assistance from a broader cross-section of society because they are 'struggling to make ends meet'. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

The cost of living crisis is pushing more people towards food banks and soup runs, amid stories of elderly people going to bed early to cut their fuel bills and people turning up for food assistance unannounced because they do not have enough phone credit to make an appointment.

The Feed Cork Food Bank said it has had 108 new registrations to its service since the start of the year, including 68 in February alone — a figure that does not include the food assistance it provides to children attending some Deis schools in Cork City.