Harlow Foodbank Stories project

How does it feel to visit a foodbank? In 2021 we asked foodbank users to share their stories with us.

We did this in the hope that we would be able to raise real people’s voices above the stereotypes and assumptions that can often be louder.

This project was funded by The Trussell Trust and managed by MRCT through Harlow Foodbank.

Four big reasons why

Statistics show there are four big reasons why people may find themselves in crisis and needing extra support from organisations such as Harlow Foodbank:

  1. People who live alone and have one income can have less wiggle room when things don’t go to plan
  2. Big life changes, such as illness, breakdown of relationships, death of a loved one
  3. Universal Credit – waiting times, sanctions, and it stopping and starting
  4. Debts – change in income, not keeping up with debt payments

All of this takes a toll on mental health.

The stories featured here give an insight into these four big reasons, as well as other factors.


Each person visited Harlow Foodbank between November 2021 and May 2022. The context of this time period is important because:

  • The impacts of covid and lockdowns were being felt more greatly
  • The Universal Credit uplift introduced during lockdowns had been withdrawn
  • The words “Cost of living crisis” wasn’t a phrase we all used. Poverty, including food poverty, existed long before covid, the war in Ukraine, and the price increases and levels of inflation we are experiencing.

School resources inspired by stories

We have compiled learning resources aged at years 9-11 studying RE, PSHE and Citizenship. You can find them here.

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