Loneliness, food poverty, and perceived benefits of communal food consumption from a charity service

In the study, 686 (345 male) patrons of a UK charity communal food service reported their demographic attributes, loneliness, food poverty, and benefits of the service. Food poverty was associated with loneliness. Women reported greater benefits of the service than men. Loneliness and food poverty were greater in middle adulthood and among the unemployed than other groups. Loneliness during middle adulthood and unemployment was associated with forming friendships during visits which may have been motivated by the need for social belonging. Gender, age, and occupation played a role in the benefits of a food charity to redress loneliness and food poverty.