More than 210,000 Belgians Rely on Food Banks Amid COVID-19 and Ukraine Conflict

Brussels (Eurotoday): In 2022, over 210,000 Belgians needed food bank help, up from 200,000 in 2021. Piet Vanthemsche noted challenges from rising costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. So far, 37,648 plates have been donated for Christmas meals.

In 2022, more people in Belgium needed help from food banks. “Over 210,000 Belgians came to us,” said Piet Vanthemsche. High prices and energy costs from the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 have made life difficult for many. Last year, about 200,000 people asked for help, which is a small drop, but the need is still high. Food banks want to give five meals a week to those in need, but it’s getting harder. According to Vanthemsche, there are also fewer food donations from companies.

How are Belgium’s 700 food groups addressing rising demand amid donation declines?

In Belgium, more than 700 local groups help collect extra food from stores. They work with food banks to give away still-good food to people who need it, such as fruits, bread, and milk. This helps reduce food waste and assist those in need. Food banks, however, cannot accept food from individuals, as that would put everyone at risk. This policy ensures that all the distributed food is safe and that people trust food aid programs.

Piet Vanthemsche, the key person in Belgium’s food aid, noticed that cash donations are lower than in previous years but are still better than in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have made people more aware of hunger, and so they are donating during this time. On Christmas Eve, food banks across the country provide a special meal called “De Langste Tafel” (The Longest Table) for those in need. People can help by donating a plate, and as of Tuesday afternoon, 37,648 plates have been donated.