16,835 emergency food parcels provided to people facing hunger and hardship by RCT food banks in 2025

Over 16,835 emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, with 5,900 of these provided for children, according to new figures from RCT's four foodbanks released today. 

This means that Rhondda Cynon Taf saw the 2nd most foodbank parcels distributed of any local authority in Wales, and the 35th most of any local authority in the UK. The food banks have seen a 0.1% slight increase in the number of emergency food parcels distributed compared to 2024. 

A spokesperson for the food banks said: “It has been a tough year. Far too many people in our communities are still going without the essentials as the cost-of-living continues to impact our communities. Donations are not keeping pace with the level of need, and we encourage everyone who can do so to donate and ensure their local foodbank can continue to be there for anyone facing a crisis in RCT.” 

“We hear constantly about the struggles facing people at risk of hunger and hardship, and although we have seen some positive steps, we still need urgent action from the government to ensure everyone can afford the essentials and no one has to use a foodbank to survive.” 

Pontypridd Foodbank, Rhondda Foodbank, Taff-Ely Foodbank, and Merthyr Cynon Foodbank (which also operates in Merthyr Tydfil county) are part of the Trussell community of food banks, which has highlighted the deep scars that the pandemic and cost of living crisis have left on living standards, with food bank use across the UK still 45% higher than in 2019. Families with children continue to be among the hardest hit, receiving 62% of parcels in 2025 despite these families making up just 42% of the UK population. 

The foodbanks believe everybody should have enough money in their pockets to put food on the table and are calling on the community to play their part to help end the need for emergency food in the UK. Until then, the public can help make sure the foodbanks continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice in the year ahead by donating food or funds at: 

• Merthyr Cynon Foodbank - https://merthyrcynon.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
• Pontypridd Foodbank - https://pontypridd.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
• Rhondda Foodbank - https://rhondda.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/
• Taff-Ely Foodbank - https://taffely.foodbank.org.uk/support-us 

Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at Trussell, said: “We are still seeing far too many people across Rhondda Cynon Taf being forced to turn to food banks for support, including children, families, disabled people, working people and older people. 

“It isn’t right that so many people in RCT are still trapped in severe hardship and left without the support they need to live with dignity. No one should be left sitting in the dark to save on electricity or skipping meals so their children can eat. 

“Every day, staff and volunteers at food banks do an incredible job of supporting people facing hunger – but the truth is that food banks shouldn’t need to exist in the first place. We know the solutions to ending the need for food banks. That's why the government must acknowledge the challenges facing people from RCT and commit to delivering meaningful, lasting change so that everyone can afford the essentials and we can end the need for food banks for good.” 

You can find out how many emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship in your local area on the Trussell website: campaign.trussell.org.uk/parcels-by-postcode 

ENDS 

Contact:   

Matthew Stevens, Taff-Ely Foodbank's Partnership Co-ordinator, can be reached at Matthew@taffely.foodbank.org.uk or 07936 554850 

Notes to Editor   

Merthyr Cynon Foodbank, Pontypridd Foodbank, Rhondda Foodbank, and Taff-Ely Foodbank are part of the Trussell community of food banks. For UK-wide Trussell food bank statistics, visit: https://www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-research/latest-stats/end-of-year-stats