Local food bank calls for sustainable grants to continue supporting families in need
Community donations remain vital as food bank aims to tackle poverty
A local food bank is urging for sustainable financial support to continue its essential services, which include helping those facing food insecurity and providing fuel assistance.
Tina Oakley, representing the food bank aligned with the Trussell Trust, has praised the community's generosity and highlighted the critical role financial tracking plays in ensuring the food bank’s long-term viability.
Oakley expressed gratitude for ongoing contributions from the public, who have donated via supermarkets and other means, as well as the Citizens Advice service for offering crucial debt relief and benefits guidance. However, she emphasised that while food donations help meet immediate needs, more substantial financial backing is required to maintain the food bank’s operations over the next 18 months.
While donations of items like baked beans and washing powder remain vital for meeting immediate needs, Oakley pointed out that the food bank’s purpose is to raise individuals out of poverty entirely, reducing reliance on such services. She described this as a larger social challenge, adding:
“From a Trussell Trust perspective, it’s about raising people out of poverty so they don’t need a food bank. We deliver the need when people want it but there’s a bigger economic question here.”
The food bank is actively working towards securing sustainable grant funding, alongside recruiting a new trustee dedicated to fundraising. Oakley noted the importance of this expertise:
“Getting grants is a special expertise, and that’s been our main focus – to ensure we’re sustainable as a food bank.”
Although the food bank is not in immediate financial difficulty, Oakley stressed its reliance on community efforts and the urgency for longer-term funding solutions.
Reflecting on Christmas operations, Oakley shared her pride in the food bank’s ability to meet local needs by preparing specifically for the festive season and other times such as school holidays. She credited the “incredibly generous” support from the community, whose contributions ensured warehouses were replenished.
Looking forward, the food bank remains committed to its mission but urges awareness of the financial challenges ahead, calling for sustainable support to ensure its services continue without disruption.