Number of food bank parcels handed out increases by nearly a quarter

More than 6,000 food parcels have been given to people facing hunger in the north of Caerphilly County Borough over the last 12 months.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, Rhymney Valley Foodbank distributed 6,450 parcels – a 23% increase on figures from the previous year.

Of this number, 2,158 parcels have been given to children, according to the food bank – which has bases in Aberbargoed, New Tredegar, and Rhymney.

Steven Evans-Jones, chief officer at the food bank, said he was “alarmed” by this increase.

He continued: “The cost-of-living crisis persists in North Caerphilly, severely impacting local residents.

“We urge the government to take heed of these concerning trends and reconsider their proposal to review social security for people with disabilities.”

Figures released by the Trussell Trust, which runs the food bank, show more than 170,000 food parcels were provided across Wales during the same period, and nearly 2.9 million across the UK.

The charity described it as a “wake-up call” for the UK Government, and echoed Mr Evans-Jones’ calls for a rethink over planned welfare cuts.

Emma Revie, Trussell Trust chief executive, said: “Far too many children, families, disabled people, working people, and elderly people from across the Caerphilly Borough needed to access food banks for emergency food in the past year.

“This should be a wake-up call to government and a stark reminder of their responsibilities to the people of the upper Rhymney Valley.”

Ms Revie continued: “A whole generation has now grown up in the Upper Rhymney Valley where sustained high levels of food bank need feels like the norm.

“The community has teachers, doctors, and healthcare professionals now routinely referring people to food banks as part of their day to day jobs, showing how emergency food has sadly become a fixture. If you can, please play your part and help change this.”