Food Bank Warns Stocks Are Running 'Desperately Low'

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA), a food bank located on Charnwood Street in Derby, has issued an urgent call for support as its stocks are running "desperately low." The charity, established in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, is experiencing a significant increase in demand, with half of the recent calls coming from people who have never used a food bank before.

Rising Demand and Urgent Need for Support

Paul Brookhouse, the manager of DF4TA, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that it costs between £8,000 and £10,000 each month to meet the current demand. "We are running desperately low, and things are getting serious. We simply don’t have the funds to fill our shelves," he said. Brookhouse stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, "We need help, and we need it now. 

It makes me very miserable to think that in 2024, people are going hungry."

He expressed his disappointment at the ongoing need for urgent appeals: "It disappoints me when we have to keep making urgent appeals for help - but what can we do? People will be going hungry if Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance does not step in and support the huge number of people who are calling us every day."

New Clients and the Reality of Crisis

The charity has seen an influx of new clients who are turning to the food bank for the first time due to a variety of financial crises. One such client, a 31-year-old man who wished to remain anonymous, shared his experience of using the food bank after facing financial difficulties. He found the process of getting a food parcel "very easy" and "very quick." In addition to food, he was also offered help with energy vouchers and replacement furniture.

Reflecting on his situation, he said, "If I didn't have food, I wouldn't be in a good position at all. People like myself, regular families, they need somewhere to go when crisis hits."

Call for Donations and Community Support

DF4TA is urgently calling for donations of both food and financial contributions to help them continue supporting those in need. "Donations of both food and financial contributions are needed," Brookhouse reiterated. The charity not only aims to provide immediate relief by keeping Derby families fed but is also working on long-term solutions by establishing a series of community food hubs and pantries.

These initiatives are intended to provide sustainable support and foster community resilience, ensuring that families facing hardship have access to the essentials they need.

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance's plea highlights the growing need for community support and solidarity in times of crisis, emphasizing that even small donations can make a significant difference in the lives of those struggling to make ends meet.