Liskeard foodbank warns of ‘perfect storm’ with food supplies dropping dangerously low

A CORNISH food bank is facing a “perfect storm” of rising demand and falling donations, with its food supplies dropping to just three months’ worth.

The Liskeard & Looe Foodbank says it is having to change the way it supports people as fewer donations come through the door, despite the need for emergency food remaining high.

Outlining the issue, Cathy Lake, assistant manager at the facility in Dean Street, together with volunteer Alan Hartridge, said the situation had become increasingly challenging, with the foodbank previously holding between six and eight months’ worth of food.

“It’s like our chair of trustees, Judith Annells, said ‘We’re in a perfect storm at the moment’. We’ve got rising need and fewer donations,” said Alan. “What’s coming in is a hell of a lot less than it has been. We used to have six to eight months’ worth of food in the warehouse. Now we’ve now got three months – and that’s a big concern.”

The issues were highlighted during a visit by South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd, who visited the foodbank in the town to hear directly from those involved about the pressures facing the organisation.

Ms Gelderd was shown around the warehouse and given an insight into how the foodbank operates and the challenges it is facing.

“She went around the entire warehouse and saw how everything works from start to finish,” added Cathy, who said the visit was an opportunity to discuss both the growing need for foodbank support and how politicians can help charities such as theirs.

“She was very receptive and she wanted to know what had changed since her last visit,” said Cathy. “Anna doesn’t have a community fund as such, but she does have influence with companies that might want to donate. She has put us in touch with an egg distributor, for example. Those are the things that are really important to us.

“If she can tell us where to look for money, I’ll go and knock on every door. That’s what we do.

“We’ve invited councillors from across the town to come and see what we do. They’ve come along, we’ve taken them around the warehouse and shown them what happens here. We’ve also had schoolchildren visit so they can understand what we’re trying to do.

“We’ve reached out as far as we can - and it’s completely non-political. We don’t care what party somebody is, we just need their clout and their influence, that’s the important part.”

Figures provided by the foodbank show how demand has risen significantly over time. In 2020, those needing assistance during that year totalled 2,869, whilst last year the figure was 4,676.

The organisation also rejected suggestions that foodbanks encourage a “culture of dependency”, stressing that its support is intended to help people through temporary periods of crisis.

“We are a food bank that helps people through a temporary crisis,” added Alan. “We’ve had businessmen who have fallen on hard times, nurses on low pay who have children to look after, and people struggling with rent. So, we help a whole range of people. That’s why I don’t like the statement that we’re feeding a dependency culture.”

The foodbank said it also works closely with a number of local businesses and community organisations to make the most of donations.

“We just need people to understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,” added Cathy. “Ultimately, we’re trying to give people dignity. I only want to give people food that I would eat myself. That’s really important.

“We’re not a free supermarket. You have to be in need and it has to be a temporary period of crisis. We can help you through that crisis and then we try to point you towards other support.

“We have people who come in every Wednesday morning who can offer advice on money problems, getting into work and other issues. We can’t do everything, but we can be one of the links in the chain that helps people get through a difficult period.

“And we’ll keep doing it. If somebody offers us £500, we’ll take it. If they offer £1,000, we’ll take that too. Even £100 can make a huge difference to us. We just need people to understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

Commenting following her visit, Ms Gelderd said: “Foodbanks shouldn’t be necessary, but too many people across South East Cornwall are relying on them for everyday essentials. Years of underinvestment, the impact of Covid, and rising living costs have left families facing impossible choices. We need to make sure people have the security to afford the basics without needing to turn to a foodbank.

“That’s why I’m so grateful to the team at Liskeard and Looe Foodbank and the volunteers that support them. Their work is vital, supporting people through some of the toughest moments.”