The director of Uttlesford Foodbank appeared on a new podcast covering the charity sector, and highlighted the rising need for emergency food parcels.
Speaking on The Change Makers podcast, director Sophie Durlacher said more people than ever are depending on Uttlesford Foodbank - including a record number of pensioners.
Sophie oversees the operations at the foodbank, which is part of Trussell Trust's network of foodbanks around the UK.
She said: "By last December, in just nine months of the financial year, we've done the same amount of food as we had done in the whole of the previous year and that was a Covid year. And that is showing no signs of abating.
"Our biggest sector of new clients are pensioners, who traditionally do not go to foodbanks.
"That generation do not ask for help and they hate asking for charity. They ring up extremely distressed but they simply can't afford to cope any longer."
Sophie features in episode one of The Change Makers, which is co-hosted by Saffron Walden resident Clare Edwards, along with Lydia Parkin from St Neots.
The podcast aims to shine a light on the remarkable people working in not-for-profit organisations and making a positive change all over the UK.
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In the conversation, Sophie gives an insight into the foodbank's current situation, what she thinks it will take to improve people's situations, and why she thinks Uttlesford is seeing such high demand - as well as reflecting on her role and its impact.
"I get asked ‘who comes to foodbanks’ and the reality is, everybody and anybody can come to foodbanks. People who never in their wildest dreams thought they may turn to a foodbank," Sophie said.
“When somebody has the rug pulled from under them, we can step in. We can’t cure their structural issues or mend their relationship that’s broken down, but when people find themselves in very sudden need, we can step in."
Sophie also paid tribute to the hard work of her team of 100 volunteers.
You can listen to the full conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your usual podcast provider.
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